Page:Idalia, by 'Ouida' volume 2.djvu/20

Rh "The Romans hung their wreaths of roses over the doors, we in a more prosaic age must shut our window,"' he said, with a light laugh, as he closed the venetian blinds, leaving only their thread-like chinks open for the passage of light outward, and the passage of air within.

A great darkness fronted Erceldoune; the moon was shining on all the silvered seas, and innumerable stars were oat, but for him the blackness and blindness of night had never so utterly fallen.

Hours passed by uncounted, unheeded by him; the chimes of the campanile had chimed twelve, and one, and two, unheard by him; he was still there before the darkened windows. The Ischian horse grazed quietly off the grasses and young shoots among the rocks; Erceldoune watched the villa which sheltered her, as a lion watches the lair of his foe.

The night was absolute torture to him; intolerable suspense possessed him, and a reckless hatred of all those who were now within the chamber on which he was forbidden even to look. So near to her, and yet as far sundered as though seas divided them! His rivals with her whilst he stood without!—his imagination was filled with their looks, their words, the bold passion in their eyes, the lovely smile upon