Page:Idalia, by 'Ouida' volume 2.djvu/214

Rh you had scruples about, but I am glad there should be;—it is a new experience! I take your assurances, however, cum grano salis;—you are quite wise to make them so fervently, seeing that, as you observed, a shot or a stab would follow your desertion as surely as night follows day. And.now, you will allow me to remark that you are very imperfectly disguised, that you will involve me very disagreeably if you are discovered here, and that I shall thank you to remove yourself from Naples at once."

"But Idalia?" "You can serve Idalia in nothing by putting yourself and every one else in jeopardy. The Church has her; the Church does not lightly let go its prey. All that can be done, you are sure, will be done" "But" Victor lifted his hand again; a very slight gentle movement, but before it the fiery impetuosity, the mutinous impatience, of the Greek fell into a soldier's submissiveness, a spaniel's docility. In their armies there were many ranks, but there was only one discipline—implicit obedience and silence unto death. If his chief had bidden him throw himself from the heights of Tiberio, Phaulcon would have cast himself headlong down without a question,