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Vanina reflected that, by first of all turning his head,she might make a useful
agent of him. DonLivio was wild with joy; he must be kept from thinking.
Thebloodstained gown that lay on the chair appeared to have been stabbedwith a
dagger. Immediately on Vaninasarrival, he spoke to her of this marriage, in
fear and trembling. Why has my absence then furnished grounds for themost cruel
suspicions?
Once, about midnight, he thought he could see someone inthe dark on
the terrace: was it Vanina?
He has forgotten them, but it vexes himthat his
only daughter, Vanina, declines to marry.
Missirilli was silent; Vanina seemed
to be on the point of beingsuffocated by her sobs.
If I speak to him, she said
to herself, I am lost!
After so pleasant an intimacy, mustshe then forget
him?
My lot henceforward is to dare all, Vanina continued with a sigh. Very
well, said Vanina coldly, and where are you going?
Her father, who wished her
tomarry, had delayed her departure. She rejoicedin the thought of his pained
surprise when he should look around forher in vain. She is alreadynineteen, and
has refused the most brilliant suitors. Beside herself with alarm, she ran over
thewhole house in search of him. Pietro fell at her feet; Vanina was radiant
with joy. When they were ableto talk reasonably:I shall be in the Romagna
almost as soon as you, said Vanina. There is nothing to be done for the
present, he said finally.
The day before yesterday, I liedwhen I said that my
name was Clementina; I am an unhappy carbonaro. She had come to tell himthat he
must make the Prince promise to let his place be taken by aservant. Quite
undisturbed, replied Missirilli with a smile which made hershudder. There is
nothing to be done for the present, he said finally. You are a great man, like
ourancient Romans.
Our venuta was surprised; I wasbrought, in chains, from the
Romagna to Rome.
On reading the name again, she felt as thoughshe must
faint.
Quite undisturbed, replied Missirilli with a smile which made
hershudder. Thanks to a passport boughtfrom a foreign embassy, he returned in
safety to his family. The sound of each hoof-beat seemed tostrike an echo from
her heart.
The words he had now utteredstruck a fatal spark in her mind. Vanina
had listened with impatience; she swiftly withdrew from theroom.
Hewas
astounded by the fulness of his happiness.
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