Page:In Maremma, by Ouida (vol 2).djvu/71

 does, and I can fight as the mole can; I am never without my knife.'

The fierce fire of Saturnino's eyes glowed for a moment in hers; her nostrils dilated, her lips smiled, her breath came quickly, there was blood in her veins that was warm as wine at the vision of conflict.

'Oh, I do not doubt your courage,' said Sanctis; and paused, hesitating how he could awaken this savage innocence to a sense of its own true peril. He felt a momentary shudder go over him at the glance that her eyes gave; he seemed to see the panther in her, as the Greek sailors saw it in the young god Dionysus, when he leapt and rent the garland from the mast.

'If I could but persuade you,' he said, with the timidity she was quick to hear in his voice.

'But you cannot,' she said, rudely. 'Do not make me angry; I do not wish to part with you in anger, for Joconda's sake. But you would never persuade me if you stayed a thousand years; you would only drive me away up into the hills; for if I were not alone here, this place would be nothing to me. If it be true that you wish to please me—go.'