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Updated: May 1, 2025
"Yes no just a moment!" She made a strong effort over herself. "Tell me in three words," she said. "Who is it that threatens Lord Redin's life?" "A peasant of Subiaco called Stefanone. Really, Princess, we must be going; it is quite dark " "Stefanone!" exclaimed Francesca, while he was speaking the last words, which she did not hear. "Stefanone of Subiaco of course!"
Stefanone followed him again, walking fast when his enemy had turned a corner and slackening his speed as soon as he caught sight of him again. Francesca was out. He saw Lord Redin's look of annoyance as the latter turned away after speaking with the porter, and he fell back into the shadow of a doorway, expecting that the Scotchman would take the street by which he had come.
"I should like to speak to you quite frankly, if you will allow me," he said gravely. "May I?" "Certainly." "The few words you said about Lord Redin's story have explained a great many things which I never understood," said Griggs. "Is it too much to ask that you should tell me everything you know?" "I would rather not say anything more," answered Francesca.
But the impression of his story had been so much more direct and strong than even the first words Griggs had spoken, that so soon as she had realized that the latter was speaking approximately of the same subject, she had lost the thread of what he was saying and had seemed to hear Lord Redin's dreadful tale all over again. She thought that she was losing her head.
Soon after the marriage, which took place in the summer, Dalrymple left Rome, intending to be absent but a few months in Scotland, where his presence was necessary on account of certain family affairs and arrangements consequent upon the death of Lord Redin, the head of his branch of the Dalrymples, and of Lord Redin's son only a few weeks later, whereby the title went to an aged great-uncle of Angus Dalrymple's, who was unmarried, so that Dalrymple's only brother became the next heir.
Francesca stepped back from him, suddenly guessing that she had revealed Lord Redin's secret. "Is it possible?" she asked in a low voice. "Oh, it is all a mistake!" she cried suddenly. "I have told you his story oh, I am losing my head!" "Come," said Griggs, authoritatively. "We must get out of the church, at all events, or we shall be locked in." "Oh no!" answered Francesca.
"He is in his old rooms upstairs." "Oh! Yes thank you." Their eyes met for a moment. Lord Redin's glittered, but Francesca's were clear and true. "I am sure you take good care of him," he added. "Good-bye." He left her alone, and when he was gone, she sat down wearily and laid her head back against a cushion, with half-closed eyes.
By this time he was well acquainted with Lord Redin's habits; and though Griggs had been told that the Scotchman was out, Stefanone knew very well that he was at home and would not leave the hotel for another hour or more. Leaning back against the wall and tipping the stool, he swung his white-stockinged legs thoughtfully. "One must eat," he remarked aloud, to himself.
"We must really be going," said Griggs, rising to his feet, and wondering indifferently why it was so hard to make her understand. She rose to her feet slowly. Lord Redin's story was intricately confused in her mind with the few words which she had retained of what Griggs had said.
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