Page:Idalia, by 'Ouida' volume 2.djvu/104

Rh "Well! be it so, if you will; for to-day, at the least," she said, with the accent of one who throws thought away, and resigns the reins to chance. "You stay in Capri? Have you breakfasted?" "I thank you, yes; in a fishing-hut on the beach yonder."

"That must have been but a poor meal. I know what Capriote fare is—some smoked tunny and some dried onions! Come within."

He obeyed her, and forgot all else in the charm of that sweet present hour.

She had repulsed his love; she would have done so again had it been uttered; she had told herself that this man's gallant life must not be cheated into union with hers, this fearless heart must not be broken beneath her foot; though she should have spared no other, she vowed to spare him, over whose perils she had watched while her hand held the living water to his dying lips. In what she now did, therefore, she erred greatly; but it was very hard for her not to err. She was used to reign, and was accustomed to allow her own pleasure, answering to none; she had known the world till she was satiated with it; she was in this moment utterly weary of her associates, weary almost of herself. There was a certain repose, a certain lulling peace,