Page:In Maremma, by Ouida (vol 2).djvu/302

 will have told you of me; I am the grandson of the brother of Joconda'

'You are generous,' said Este.

There was a tone in the words that drew fire from the calm eyes of Sanctis as steel does from the flint-stone.

'It does not matter what I am,' he said, with effort keeping his patience. 'What matters now is the loss of a moment. These hill-men come on a devil's errand in hope to get man's godhead. Let them find me here alone. They will find with me dogs that bite.'

He showed the steel of his pistols that he wore in a belt about his waist.

She broke from Este and came up to him and gazed at him with passionate, imploring, searching eyes that tried to read his inmost soul.

'You will not betray him?' she said under her breath. 'Now you know why I said that I must kill you if you told'

Sanctis drew away from her.

'I am not a spy of the police,' he said coldly. 'You may be satisfied of that.'

She looked at him in silence.

She did not doubt him, yet she was afraid.