Page:In Maremma, by Ouida (vol 2).djvu/43

 Vienna, where he lives. Did he please you, that you ask?'

'Please me! I am only afraid that he may come back, or tell others of these tombs. I wish that you did not know of them.'

'Why?'

'Because it is the solitude that I care for, and if people know of them, travellers will come and look; they do wherever there are buche delle fate; and if the shepherds find it out they will drive me away and stable themselves in my stead; it would be much better for a shepherd than his hut, because in storms and very cold nights he could drive his flock in with him.'

Sanctis gazed at her in amazement.

'But—but you do not mean that you think in all seriousness of staying here all your life long?'

'That is what I hope to do.'

'Good God! Have you no other dream for your future?'

Musa knitted her brows angrily.

'What better can there be? I have all I want. I can maintain myself very well. I am in the midst of the birds, and of the beasts. There is the air in my mouth, the