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Who will take care of you? 'Surely, objected Ortensia, 'you can trust your own man. Let him stand beside me while I sit on the pedestal of the pillar nearest to the organ, where you can see me. Or ask our two mysterious friends to guard me, for they would overmatch a dozen of Don Alberto's sort!
That is the argument for the prosecution. Ortensia stared wildly at the colourless face and the steely eyes that met her own. 'Happily, the Cardinal went on, after a short but impressive pause, 'my nephew does not know everything.
'Count Trombin, Count Gambardella, said the musician to his wife, introducing the pair. 'These gentlemen have liberated us from our respective prisons and have been kindly instrumental in bringing about our marriage. 'We owe you both a debt of undying gratitude, gentlemen, said Ortensia, blushing a little under her brown hood.
The stableman was then to take back the two mules, and the coach would leave the city at once, by Porta San Lorenzo, while Ortensia would suppose that she was being taken to the Palazzo Altieri or to some new place of safety.
As for Ortensia, she did not know where she had been, and it was not till she had wandered for hours in the desolate regions between Santa Maria in Cosmedin, San Gregorio, and the Colosseum, that she at last struck into the Campo Vaccino, which was the open field under which the Roman Forum then lay buried.
'No, love, he said, 'your wet shoes would tell tales. 'But there is danger! answered Ortensia, holding him by his drenched sleeve. 'I must know you are safe! 'When I reach my boat I will whistle softly, he said. He was gone in the dark, and she was listening by the open window, her heart beating so that it seemed as if it must drown any other sound.
A short silence followed. 'Have you ever been here before? Ortensia asked presently. 'Yes, Pina answered, 'I have been here before. I do not like Ferrara. 'Why not? Have you any particular reason for not liking it? 'It was here that my thumb was hurt, said the nurse. 'That is a fair reason, is it not? She laughed rather harshly. 'To hate a place because one has had an accident in it!
Even that knowledge could not have made Alessandro sleep more soundly, since the fear of danger to Ortensia could not keep him awake, and he slept as peacefully on the stone pavement of the corridor as ever he did in the most luxurious bed. But his man was awake and was watching for all the four, though he lay quite still, rolled up in his brown cloak.
'I will, said Ortensia in a low tone, but by no means doubtfully. 'Ego conjungo vos, the priest went on; and the rest was soon said, the Bravi dropping on their knees at the benediction.
Again Stradella's voice was heard alone, and Ortensia sank upon her knees beside her pillar, though it was not yet quite time for kneeling. It was as if she could bear no more of such intense pleasure without praying to heaven that it might be hers hereafter to love her true love to all ages, and for ever to hear his voice singing to her in a place of peace.
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