Page:Bianca, or, The Young Spanish Maiden (Toru Dutt).djvu/20

286 he uttered his words slowly; “You must never speak against her before me, mother?" "Why Colin?" She had gained courage from his quiet manner; she did not know of the storm in his heart. "Because I love her, mother; because I mean to marry her, mother; yes," he added, solemnly,e "so help me God, she shall be my wife." "Marry her! Marry a Spanish gipsy; an adventurer's daughter; she might have been a zingara for aught we know!" He rose and to went the door. He was going out. "Colin!" She called. "Well?" "I wont say anything more against her, but listen to what I saw yesterday." He leaned with his back against the door, expectant. "She was speaking with Mr. Ingram, yesterday. He was saying something which moved him so much that he sat down on the ground, weeping, and she took his hands in hers and stroked and fondled in a way"——my lady stopped, casting a sidelong glance at her son. "Ingram was engaged to her sister," he replied calmly, "no wonder they were speaking of the dead." My lady smiled. Such a venomous and wicked little smile it was! "So, she has been making you her confidant,—the sly gipsy." "Ingram told me about the affair, not she." He returned quietly. There was a painful silence of some minutes. "You have nothing more to say, mother?" "No, Colin." "Then good night, mother." He took a candle and went out of the room. Lady Moore set her teeth and walked about the room in an agitated manner. "The girl is nice in her way; but a Spanish gipsy! For I dare say she is nothing more, to marry my Colin! She isn’t handsome, not at all. How can Colin love her. He must not marry her, no never. Perhaps the fit will pass off; but Colin is so steady, never was 'in love,' in his whole life. My course at least is clear. I must prevent such a marriage if possible." And my lady with a resolute expression in her face, went out of the room. She tapped at her son's bedroom door, and on his calling out "come in," she entered. He was standing beside the window. He did not turn round at her step. "Colin" said she, impetuously, "you must not marry that girl!" "I am too far gone, mother," quoting half-unconsciously the words Lady Moore had herself applied not half an hour ago