Page:In Maremma, by Ouida (vol 2).djvu/299

 with the first personal fear that she had ever known. 'Oh! I have been so happy!'

The tears rushed into her eyes. She did not know what ailed her. Some great impending loss seemed to hang over her.

'Dear, there is more happiness than that,' he murmured. 'You have known but the daybreak; I will lead you to the noon. Are you afraid?'

His hand stole towards her, his eyes magnetised her, his lips approached her.

For the first time she shrank from him: 'Let me go; let me think,' she said faintly.

Neither of them heard a step come over the moist ground above and descend the steps, and pass the entrance chamber. Before either had been warned by the slightest sound, one of the rock-doors was thrust open, and through its aperture there came Maurice Sanctis.

They sprang to their feet, and the hand of each went quick as thought to the haft of a knife; but before they could move or even think, he cried quickly:

'Wait! I come in warning. Men from the hills, from San Lionardo, mean to visit you to-night. They have a fancy that gold