Page:The Saint (1906, G. P. Putnam's Sons).djvu/112

78 containing the frescoes by Tiepolo—and had recently seen her in Rome. Her brother, Signor Carlino Dessalle, had remained in Florence. She and Signorina d'Arxel, wishing to surprise the Selvas, had forbidden him to tell. The name Dessalle recalled to Selva's mind in a flash what he had not at first remembered—the presence of Don Clemente, the suspicion that he was this woman's missing lover, and the necessity of preventing a meeting, which might prove terrible to both. He was, of course, unaware of the conversation which had taken place between his wife and the Padre. In the meantime they heard Maria hastening down the path, and then joyous exclamations and greetings. Dane, uneasy lest he had stayed too long on the terrace, proposed going downstairs. The ladies had certainly availed themselves of the carriage which was coming for him. Don Clemente also seemed very uneasy. Hiding his own agitation, Selva hastily took his arm.

"If you do not care to meet these ladies," he said, "come with me at once, and I will let you out through the Casino, by the upper path." The Padre seemed greatly relieved, and the two started off in haste, the Benedictine even forgetting to say good-night.

"It is late, too" said he. "When I asked the Father Abbot's permission, I said I should be back at half-past nine."

They ran down the widening stairway, but