Page:In Maremma, by Ouida (vol 3).djvu/290

 in Maremma of the impulses of capricious honour, of uncertain generosity, which had at times broken through the ferocity and selfishness of his natural temper. Which of these might be the motive that ruled him she could not tell; but such instinct as makes the dog scent danger for his master, whilst yet nothing is seen or heard, made her tremble for the one whom she loved, whom she had so long sheltered and defended that to save him from his enemies was still second nature to her.

In an instant the thought that Este still might need her poured new life into her limbs, awakened the old bold spirit in her that had sunk into the apathy of sorrow, and revived in her alike the courage and the subtlety which had so often served him when he had been a hunted criminal with a price set on his head. She knew at once what she would do, what she must do.

In open dispute she could never hope to vanquish or disarm Saturnino Mastarna; by betrayal of him she could never stoop to arrest his steps, she would sooner have killed him; she knew that what she had to do was to watch him, and if he let Este alone, then would she in turn leave him