Page:In Maremma, by Ouida (vol 2).djvu/298

 fair that I shall deem it one no longer. You serve me, yes; but do more—love me. In a way you do, I know; but it is not that way which will content me. You are not a dog, nor a servant, like those two whose ashes lie in the entrance there. You must give me more than dogs and slaves can give, faithful and tender though they be. Oh, my dear! love is given us to make a sunshine in this gloomy place. The mountain-doves you talk of do not dwell apart!'

He glided to her feet and sat there, and drew the distaff away from her, and gazed at her with caressing eyes that subdued her to his will and poured trouble into her heart.

'We are happy as we are,' she murmured. 'Do not look so! No; you are not happy; I forgot. But I thought it was always for Donna Aloysia you sorrowed'

'Let the dead be. We live!' said Este with sudden passion, as his arms enclosed her and his face drooped towards her breast.

But she, with a sudden movement of alarm and anger that were rather at herself than him, thrust him away and rose with abrupt rapidity.

'You hurt me,' she said feverishly, and