Page:In Maremma, by Ouida (vol 3).djvu/255



HEN a little while later the formalities were fulfilled, and she was allowed to leave her prison, homeless, friendless, penniless, but free, she understood why Este had gone: why love had become nothing to him beside that ecstasy of liberty.

The hot light whirled round her in giddy circles, her limbs were weakened by long and harsh captivity, she was feeble and faint, but she was almost once more happy. 'The earth was her own once more, and somewhere on the earth was her lover.

'If only they had left me that little grave,' she thought.

On the threshold of the prison there met