Page:Idalia, by 'Ouida' volume 2.djvu/305

294 swelled convulsively; he felt blind with rage and agony;—the monk watched him in wonder.

"The sight of her beauty beyond those bars has stirred you strangely, my son. Verily, she is a sorceress, as they say. You feel marvellously for a strange woman."

Erceldoune shook in every limb with the effort to control what, betrayed, must betray both her and him.

"That she is a woman, and you are brutes, is enough! What man that had not the heart of a cur could hear such infamy and keep his peace? It is well the lash dropped from your hands, or I would have shaken life out of you where you stand!"

The Umbrian gave a shudder.

"Truly you could do it, for you are a son of Anak! I must leave you now; I am due with the Almoner; and as for that little matter of the brandy, I will come to your cell after supper, if you be still in the mind."

He made his way back with speed, anxious to get out of reach of this unchained lion; and Erceldoune stood alone in the hot sun-scorch, with shivers of fire and of ice, turn by turn, in his veins. Whatever could be done for her must be done swiftly, or it would be too late.