Page:In Maremma, by Ouida (vol 1).djvu/280

 out in smoke when it is thrown on a coke fire.

In Santa Tarsilla the August weather was hot with the cruel, unchanging, misty heat that breeds all manner of disease from the waters and the earth, and which is only good for the lecherous vine that strangles the maples it clings to, and lives on to steal the soul out of man by and by, and vines are there none in Maremma.

After the momentary excitation following on Joconda's death and legacy, the few inhabitants returned to the dull, dropsical apathy in which they were wont to pass their lives. The girl was somewhere on the moors, and Andreino's boat was missing one night from its mooring by the mole, though replaced the next; but it was no concern of theirs. Curiosity consents to close its unwinking eyes when interest sings its lullaby.

Old Andreino had, indeed, spasms of the pain of conscience, for in his way he had been fond of Musa, and had a regard for the woman of Savoy. But he never sought for her. Nay, if he had not been ashamed to put up such a prayer to his saint, he would have entreated S. Andrea to grant