Instead, he edged away from her, and held the lights low beside the
wonderful statue so that she might see it better; and Aphrodite's
longing mouth, that had kissed gods, was curved with a little scorn
for men.
The air was still and dry, and Sabina felt a strange little thrill in
her hair and just at the back of her neck. Perhaps, in the unknown
ways of fruitful nature, the girl was dimly aware of the tremendous
manly impulse of possession, so near her in that narrow and silent
place. Something sent a faint blush to her cheek, and she was glad
there was not much light, and she did not wish to speak for a little
while.
"I hate to think that she has lain so long beside that gilded Roman
monster," said Malipieri presently.
The vast brutality of the herculean emperor had not disgusted him at
first; it had merely displeased his taste. Now, it became suddenly an
atrocious contrast to the secret loveliness of unveiled beauty. That
was a manly instinct in him, too, and Sabina felt it.
"Yes," she said softly. "And she seems almost alive."
"The gods and goddesses live for ever," Malipieri answered, smiling
and looking at her, in spite of himself.
Her eyes met his at once, and did not turn away. He fancied that they
grew darker in the shadow, and in the short silence.
"I suppose we ought to be going," she said, still looking at him.
Pages:
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218