Page:In Maremma, by Ouida (vol 2).djvu/35

 the early day, whilst the bees buzzed about the yellow-flowered coronilla, and the jewel-like snakes crept harmlessly under the emerald leaves of the wake-robin.

Her worst fears took definite shape as, between her and the glory of the morning rays, pouring down over the mountains behind her, there came a human figure.

His back was to the sun and she could not discern his features, but there was that about him which made her sure it was one of those to whom Zirlo had sold her—the one who had spoken most to her.

Her first instinct was of flight, as it is that of all other moorland creatures at sight of an invader of their solitudes. Her next was a bolder one; she rose, thrust her plaiting down on the ground, and went forward to meet him. Her eyes blazed as they had done the night before; her teeth were set.

'How dare you to come hither again?' she shouted across the heather and the holythorn, the coronilla and broom, that parted him from her. 'How dare you? I forbade you. This land belongs to me. Get you gone, or I will force you to repent of it.'

The stranger paused humbly and looked