Page:In Maremma, by Ouida (vol 3).djvu/241

 Almost weeping as women do, he came nearer to her.

'I cannot go!' he said passionately. 'Oh, I know you do not care. I know I cannot comfort you, but something I may do. I am better than no one, though I am only a rude foolish seaman. Do not think I will talk of myself, of anything I feel; I only want to speak of you, I only want to defend you against these devils'

'If they would let me go back'

The one great longing that was in her heart escaped her despite herself. If only they would let her go back! She wanted nothing more from the mercy of men.

'They must let you go back!' he said vehemently. 'They must; they shall! What harm have you done, poor innocent?'

'I have done none,' she said wearily. 'But they do not believe that. As if I would have hurt his child!'

The infinite tenderness that was in her voice stung cruelly the man who heard her. But he controlled his own pain; he only said gently:

'You could hurt nothing. You loved all the little birds and the poor hunted beasts—oh, my dear! oh, my dear!'