Page:In Maremma, by Ouida (vol 2).djvu/165

 some other planet; his warm brown cheeks, his brilliant eyes, his elasticity of step, his rapid movements, were all the signs of a perfect health anda dauntless manhood; a scarlet cap, upon his black curls, and a scarlet kerchict at his shapely throat, caught the sunshine as he went. His glance was full of triumph and gladness.

'Eh, Musoncella!' he murmured. 'You see I kept my word. I am back in four months. I was coming to you.'

She felt the great dread tighten at her heart.

'How should you come to me?' she said, with assumed indifference. 'You cannot tell where to find me.'

'I should soon find you; there are not two like you on these shores. Have you ever thought of what I said to you?'

'No. Why should I think of it?'

'I have thought of nothing else night and day. I love you!'

'That is nonsense. I can be nothing to you. Why will you walk through the streets with me? I dislike it.'

'You never remembered me, never once?'

'Why should I?'