Page:Idalia, by 'Ouida' volume 3.djvu/364

Rh His eyes met theirs one instant; then headlong at her feet he fell, a deep slow stream of blood staining the grey stone of the floor.

Thus at last he met liis foe. Thus at last his foe looked on him after the weary search of baffled vengeance, long and hot as tiger's thirst.

As he fell his hands caught the hem of her dress.

"Idalia! Idalia"

The word died as his head smote the granite, and the broken sword which he had pressed into his side to lend him strength for a moment, pierced further, driven in by the weight of the fall.

Erceldoune staggered forward and raised him.

"He is dying!" he said, as he looked at her.

There came upon him a strange awe as he saw the death that at dawn he had so nearly dealt, smite thus, as another day broke on the world, the man from whom he had fled, as David from the sight of Saul, lest murder should be upon his head if longer he lingered where his enemy lay.

She never spoke, but sank on her knees beside her father where he had fallen, held up in the arms that a score of hours before had flung him upward like some worthless driftwood to be cast into the flames. Her eyes were fastened on his flushed and