Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 2).djvu/118

100 and where Luigi awaited her. Twice or thrice the young girl had glanced at Luigi, and each time she saw he was pale and his features agitated; once even the blade of his knife, half drawn from its sheath, had dazzled her eyes with its sinister glare. Thus, it was almost trembling that she resumed her lover's arm. The quadrille had been most perfect, and it was evident there was a great demand for a second edition; Carmela alone objected to it, but the Count di San-Felice begged his daughter so earnestly that she acceded to it.

"One of the cavaliers then hastened to invite Teresa, without whom it was impossible the quadrille could be formed, but the young girl had disappeared.

"The truth was that Luigi had not felt the strength to support another such trial, and, half by persuasion and half by force, he had taken Teresa toward another part of the garden. Teresa had yielded in spite of herself, but when she looked at the agitated countenance of the young man, she understood by his silence and trembling voice that something strange was passing within him. She herself was not exempt from internal emotion, and without having done anything wrong, yet fully comprehended that Luigi was right in reproaching her. Why, she did not know; but yet, she did not the less feel that these reproaches were merited.

"However, to Teresa's great astonishment, Luigi remained mute, and not a word escaped his lips the rest of the evening. "When the chill of the night had driven away the guests from the gardens, and the gates of the villa were closed on them for the fete indoors, he took Teresa quite away; and as he left her at her home, he said:

"'Teresa, what were you thinking of as you danced opposite the young Comtesse di San-Felice?'

"'I thought,' replied the young girl, with all the frankness of her nature, 'that I would give half my life for a costume such as she wore.'

"'And what said your cavalier to you?'

"'He said it only depended on myself to have it, and I had only one word to say.'

"'He was right,' said Luigi. 'Do you desire it as ardently as you say?'

"'Yes.'

"'Well, then, you shall have it!'

"The young girl, much astonished, raised her head to look at him, but his face was so gloomy and terrible that her words froze to her lips.

"As Luigi spoke thus, he left her. Teresa followed him with her eyes into the darkness as long as she could, and when he had quite disappeared, she entered her apartment with a sigh.