Prev | Current Page 372 | Next

Hichens, Robert Smythe, 1864-1950

"A Spirit in Prison"

He had
learned from a fisherman in the Saint's Pool that she was out upon the
sea "with a Signore," and he had little difficulty in guessing who
this Signore was. Of course it was "Caro Emilio," the patron of Maria
Fortunata. He began to consider his friend unfavorably. He remembered
how frankly he had always told Emilio of his little escapades, with
what enthusiasm, in what copious detail. Always he had trusted Emilio.
And now Emilio was trying to play him false--worse, was making
apparently a complete success of the attempt. For Emilio and Vere must
have heard his beautiful singing, must have guessed from whom that
vibrant voice proceeded, must have deliberately concealed themselves
from its possessor. Where had they lain in hiding? His shrewd
suspicion fell upon the very place. Virgilio's Grotto had surely been
their refuge.
"Ladro! Vigiliacco!" Words of no uncertain meaning flowed from his
overcharged heart. His whole hot nature was aroused. His spirit was up
in arms. And now, almost for the first time, he drew a comparison
between his age and Emilio's.


Pages:
360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384