Page:In Maremma, by Ouida (vol 2).djvu/69

 'To do what you like—that is not work.'

'You are very stern and harsh,' he said with a smile, as he looked at her Antinous-like face, which it seemed to him the lotus-flowers of love and dreamful ease should crown, 'We must not quarrel, for Joconda's sake.'

'No.'

'Is there nothing I can do for you?'

'There is one thing, but you will not like me to say it, perhaps.'

'Yes, say it. Whatever it may be I will do it.'

'I should be glad if you would go away; that is what would please me.'

He was silent and chagrined.

'In this brief time have I made myself so offensive?" he exclaimed bitterly.

'Oh, no,' said Musa, a little eagerly, for she did not wish to pain him. 'I have no dislike to you; you are one of her people; that is enough for me. But I shall be glad if you will go. In the first place it teases me to talk to you. Your Italian is not what we use in Maremma; it may be better, I dare say, but it is not ours; and then, if you go on living anywhere near and come