Suppose I confess in that way; they can do nothing
to hurt me, and I should be two hundred scudi the richer. You
might be injured, to be sure, if they insisted on knowing who
made the wax model, and who suggested the ghastly disguise--"
"Wretch! do you believe that my character could be injured on the
unsupported evidence of any words from your lips?"
"Father Rocco, for the first time since I have enjoyed the
pleasure of your acquaintance, I find you committing a breach of
good manners. I shall leave you until you become more like
yourself. If you wish to apologize for calling me a wretch, and
if you want to secure the wax mask, honor me with a visit before
four o'clock this afternoon, and bring two hundred scudi with
you. Delay till after four, and it will be too late."
An instant of silence followed; and then Nanina judged that
Brigida must be departing, for she heard the rustling of a dress
on the lawn in front of the summer-house. Unfortunately,
Scarammuccia heard it too. He twisted himself round in her arms
and growled.
The noise disturbed Father Rocco. She heard him rise and leave
the summer-house. There would have been time enough, perhaps, for
her to conceal herself among some trees if she could have
recovered her self-possession at once; but she was incapable of
making an effort to regain it. She could neither think nor
move--her breath seemed to die away on her lips--as she saw the
shadow of the priest stealing over the grass slowly from the
front to the back of the summer-house.
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