"You must really accept the
explanation he has given."
"For decency's sake, you may, and I shall have to pretend that I do.
At least," she continued, turning coldly to Malipieri, "you will make
such reparation as is in your power."
"I will do anything I can," answered Malipieri gravely.
"You will marry her as soon as possible," the Baroness said with
frigid severity. "It is the only thing you can do."
Malipieri was silent. The Baron looked at him, and a disagreeable
smile passed over his fat features. But at that moment the door
opened, and Sabina entered. Without the least hesitation she came
forward to Malipieri, frankly holding out her hand.
"Good morning," she said. "Before I go, I wish to thank you again for
saving my life, and for taking care of me here."
He held her hand a moment.
"I ask your pardon, with all my heart, for having brought you into
danger and trouble," he answered.
"It was not your fault," she said. "It was nobody's fault, and I am
glad I saw the statues before any one else. You told me last night
that you were probably going away. If we never meet again, I wish you
to remember that you are not to reproach yourself for anything that
may happen to me. You might, you know. Will you remember?"
She spoke quite naturally and without the least fear of Volterra and
his wife, who looked on and listened in dumb surprise at her self-
possession.
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