"Signora," he continued, recovering himself, "no such slander--no
such insults will follow you here; none such shall follow you here.
Lamberto di Castelmare can, at least in Ravenna, promise you that
much. Nor if they did follow you, would such stories here be
believed"
"Generous! Just!" murmured Bianca behind the laced pocket-
handkerchief in a broken voice, just loud enough to reach the
neighbouring ear of the Marchese, while she suffered her slender
fingers to press the hand which held hers just perceptibly before
withdrawing it from him;--"just," she continued in a louder tone,
taking her handkerchief from her face, and raising her shoulders a
little from the sofa, so as to turn more fully towards him, while
her eyes fired point blank into his a broadside of uncontrollable
gratitude and admiration;--"just, because generous and noble. Oh,
Signor Marchese, those who have never known what it is to suffer
from a slanderous tongue can never know the delight--the sweet
consolation of meeting with such generous appreciation."
The poor Diva was quite overcome by her own emotion; and, sinking
back on the cushions of the sofa, again lifted her handkerchief to
her face, while one or two half-stifled sobs showed how deeply she
had been moved;--and how perfect was the form and hue of the
beautiful half-covered bosom which this emotion caused to heave
beneath its gauzy veil.
Pages:
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267