Page:In Maremma, by Ouida (vol 3).djvu/73

 that the sun and the air had kissed all her years through. Her very heart seemed to stand still in her terror. But she had courage and presence of mind; she looked the old rogue full in the eyes.

'If a lover I have, what is that to you? We do not ask you for bit or sup, Andreino. You used to know me well. Remember how I bit the hand of the man that struck my dog. My dog is dead, but my blood is alive.'

She looked at him all the while full and sternly in the face, and the old man was frightened.

'I meant but a jest,' he mumbled. 'For sure you are the same as you were, with your terrible eyes and your terrible tongue; but your friend you know I always was, and always will be, my dear.'

'That is well,' said Musa carelessly, hiding the apprehension that sickened her as she thought of the hand of the law held out with the blood-money, and the greedy hand of this old man stretched out to take it. If Andreino ever knew, the law would know also before the day was an hour older.

She left him and gained her boat and put her purchases in it, and let fly the little sail. Andreino stood watching by