Even our dog, who growls at other strangers, stole to
his side and licked his hand. Oh, Father Rocco! Father Rocco!"
The tears burst out afresh, and the lovely head dropped once
more, wearily, on the priest's knee.
Father Rocco smiled to himself, and waited to speak again till
she was calmer.
"Supposing," he resumed, after some minutes of silence,
"supposing Signor Fabio really meant all he said to you--"
Nanina started up, and confronted the priest boldly for the first
time since he had entered the room.
"Supposing!" she exclaimed, her cheeks beginning to redden, and
her dark blue eyes flashing suddenly through her tears
"Supposing! Father Rocco, Fabio would never deceive me. I would
die here at your feet, rather than doubt the least word he said
to me!"
The priest signed to her quietly to return to the stool. "I never
suspected the child had so much spirit in her," he thought to
himself.
"I would die," repeated Nanina, in a voice that began to falter
now. "I would die rather than doubt him."
"I will not ask you to doubt him," said Father Rocco, gently;
"and I will believe in him myself as firmly as you do. Let us
suppose, my child, that you have learned patiently all the many
things of which you are now ignorant, and which it is necessary
for a lady to know. Let us suppose that Signor Fabio has really
violated all the laws that govern people in his high station
and has taken you to him publicly as his wife.
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