"I shall tell the whole world!" she cried. "I do not care
what my mother says."
He was silent, for it was better, after all, that she should believe
in her happiness as long as she could. She said nothing more for some
time and they sat quite still, thinking widely opposite thoughts. At
last she laid her hand on his; the loving little way had become
familiar to her since it had come instinctively the first time.
"Marino!"
"Yes?"
"You know that I love you?"
"Indeed I know it."
"And you love me? Just as much? In the same way?"
"Perhaps more. Who knows?"
"No, that is impossible," she answered. "Now listen to me. It is out
of the question that we should ever be parted, loving each other as we
do, is it not?"
The door opened and a servant entered, with a card.
"The lady told me to inform your Excellency that she is a connection
of Signor Malipieri," said the man. "She hopes that she may be
received, as she is in Rome for only a few hours."
Sabina looked at the card and handed it silently to Malipieri, and her
fingers trembled.
"Angelica Malipieri."
That was the name and there was the address in Florence, in Via del
Mandorlo.
"Ask the lady to come here," said Sabina, quietly; but her face was
suddenly very white.
CHAPTER XXV
Sabina and Malipieri sat in silence during the minutes that followed.
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