Page:In Maremma, by Ouida (vol 3).djvu/284

 grip of steel, that had done to death so many, and in fancy he clenched the slender fair throat that had uttered false words, and made the mouth that had kissed her open wide in the ghastly smile of suffocation, and choked the flickering breath into silence.

A cry of horror from her at his look roused him from his trance.

'What do you see? What do you think of?' she said, as she rose in terror. 'There is no one here who would injure you. I am alone; all alone.'

'Yes; you are alone,' said Saturnino with a strange look, as he withdrew his mind with painful effort from the vision that had absorbed him. She was alone: she who had loved her lover as few women love on earth. |

He gathered himself together with a heavy sigh; such as might burst from the aching heart of a lion that lay dying on the desert sands with the vultures waiting above head in the light.

He shook his rough clothes, and felt for his long knife safe within his bosom.

Then he stood before her a moment and looked at her; he did not speak.