He remembered that Gaspare was waiting in
the boat for him--for them. He remembered the words of Gaspare:
"You must make the poor Signora understand!"
That was what he had to do: to make Hermione understand. And that
surely he could do. Surely he had the power to do it now.
For he himself understood.
CHAPTER XLII
"Hermione!"
Artois spoke to the void.
"Hermione, because I have followed you, because I have come here,
don't you think that I am claiming any right. Don't think that I
imagine, because I am your--because I am--I mean that it has not been
easy to me to come. It has not been--it is not a simple thing to me to
break in upon--upon--"
He had begun to speak with determination. He had said the very first
words with energy, almost with a warm eagerness, as of one hurrying on
to vital speech. But suddenly the energy faltered, the eagerness
failed, the ring of naturalness died out of the voice. It was as if a
gust of cold air had blown out a flame. He paused.
Pages:
925
926
927
928
929
930
931
932
933
934
935
936
937
938
939
940
941
942
943
944
945
946
947
948
949