Page:Idalia, by 'Ouida' volume 3.djvu/307

296 of unbearable misery which makes the gentlest savage. "What plea have you to hold him? I am here; I surrender to you. Take me to king or príest, as you choose; give me only his liberty for mine!

Instínctively his heart went out to save her; his consciousness awakened through the feverish mists of pain enough to know that remorse flung her here to perish for him, enough by unconsidered impulse to seek to save her still.

"Do not heed her, I say," his lips breathed hoarsely. "She only speaks to spare me" "Ho!" laughed the Calabrian, "how you quarrel for the kiss of the lash! Now we have you we will keep you—both."

She turned on him with her old imperious command:

"O God! you will not dare to take his life! He is of England—not of Italy. Such things as he has done against your king and your laws he has done never for himself, only at my instance"

"A likely tale, to screen your fellow-rebels, Miladi! Tell it to more credulous hearers"

"You think that I speak falsely?"

For the moment the old glorious challenge of her disdainful pride beamed from her face;—they who