Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 18, 2025
"But Enrica is a child I tell you she is too young to think about marriage, cavaliere." The marchesa spoke with anger. She would stave off as long as possible the principal question that of marriage. Sudden proposals, too, emanating from others, always nettled her; it narrowed her prerogative.
"I must go now to Corellia. I will return soon. That Enrica still lives is full of hope." Fra Pacifico said this, turning toward the little bed with its modest shroud of white linen curtains. "But I can do nothing. The feeble spark of life that still lingers in her frame would fly forever if tormented by remedies. I have hope in God only." And he gave a heavy sigh.
The door opened, and Enrica stood upon the threshold. There was an air of innocent triumph about her. She had bound a blue ribbon in her golden curls, and placed a rose in the band that encircled her slight waist.
The words were addressed to the priest; but her blue eyes, filled with tears, gathered themselves upon the marchesa imploringly. Enrica awaited her fate in silence. The priest rose and gently replaced her on her chair. All the benevolence of his manly nature was called forth. He cast a searching glance at the marchesa. Nothing betrayed her feelings.
A peasant Teresa, her foster-mother had come with her from Mantua, and from Teresa alone she received such affection as she had ever known. A mere animal affection, however, which lost its value as she grew into womanhood. Thus it was that Enrica came to accept the marchesa's rough tongue, her arrogance, and her caprices, as a normal state of existence. She never complained.
But I include her in the just indignation with which I regard this house and its mistress, whose agent she has made herself to deceive me." Count Nobili's kindling eye rested on the marchesa. She, in her turn, shot a furious glance at the cavaliere. "'Explanations given! Then Trenta had dared to exonerate Enrica! It was degrading!"
His voice came thick, struggling with sobs. "Can you see that unmoved, Count Nobili?" Trenta pointed to the retreating figure of Fra Pacifico bearing Enrica in his arms. At the sound of Trenta's voice, Count Nobili started and turned around. Enrica had already disappeared. "You will soon give her another bridegroom he will not leave her as you have done that bridegroom will be Death!
"Calm yourself, cavaliere," he said, haughtily, measuring from head to foot the plump little cavaliere, who stood before him literally panting with rage. "There is no need for violence. You and the marchesa must have known of this. I shuddered, when I thought that Enrica might have been driven into acquiescence with your proposal against her will. I love her too much to have permitted it."
But Trenta was not there he had rushed down-stairs as quickly as his old legs and his stick would carry him, and was out of hearing. At the mention of Nobili's name Enrica looked stealthily from under her long eyelashes, and turned very white. The sharp eyes of her aunt might have detected it had she been less engrossed by her passage of arms with the cavaliere.
The light shows that his clothes are torn that there is blood upon his face and hands. In scarcely articulate words Nobili addresses her. "Enrica countess, I mean" Nobili hesitates "pardon this intrusion. You saw the accident. I did not know that this was your room." Again Nobili pauses, waiting for an answer. None comes. Would she not speak to him? Alas! had he deserved that she should?
Word Of The Day
Others Looking