Page:Idalia, by 'Ouida' volume 3.djvu/330

Rh He would have laughed out a coarse jest; but as he met her look he dared not.

"Impossible !" he answered, curtly. "No prisoners must commune with each other."

"I know—I know!" she interrupted him. "But gold keys unlock all barriers? I am rich. Name your price. You shall have it if you can give me one hour with him."

"Impossible!" he muttered once more. "No: possible—if you will do it. What can it harm you? You have both under lock and ward. All I ask is a little speech with him. See—I told you I had wronged him deeply. Can you not think I want his pardon?"

The humility of the words coming from lips so proud, and bending a spirit so indomitable, touched the soldier, who, under a rough rind, had a certain latent kindliness.

"Nay; I would do it for you if I could out of charity," he made answer. "But it is not in my power, I tell you."

"It is in your power, if it be in your will. An hour—a half-hour—but a few moments—and you shall have a thousand—five thousand ducats!"

He looked at her stupefied; he was avaricious, like most Italians.