The Iola register., 1891-07-17
THE VENDETTA,
The Story of One Forgotten
BY MARIE CORELLI
CHAPTER xrx.-ooNTINuEp.


ever and anon turning the ring had
given her round and round upon her
finger. BY and by she looked up.
Twill you do me one favour?" She
asked, coaxingly; ''such little thing-a
trifie! but 1t would give me much pleas.
urep
"what Is it?'' asked; "you must COM
mand and l obeyi"
swell, take of those dark glasses
Just for minutel want to see your
eyesl''
rose from the sofa quickly, and an
swered her with some coldness.
ASK anything you like but that, mia
bella The least light on my eyes gives
me the most acute pain-pain that
irritates my nerves for hours afterwards
Be satisfied with me as ! am for the
present, though promise you your wish
shall be gratified-"
"whenP' she interrupted me eagerly.
/ stopped and kissed her hand.
ION the evening of our marriage day."
] answered.
She blushed and turned her head away
coquettishly.
''Ahl that is so long to waitl'' she said,
half pettishly.
mot very long, / hope" observed,
with meaning emphasis "We are now
in November. May ask you to make
my suspense briefP to allow me to fix our
wedding day for the second month of the
New Year?'
"But my recent widowhoodl
Stella's deathr' she objected family,
pressing a perfumed handkerchief gent
ly TO her eyes
"In February your husband will have
been dead nearly +?
six months" said, decisively; at is
quite sufficient period Of mourning for
one so young as yourself. And the loss
Of your child so increases the loneliness
OF your situation, that it is natural, even
necessary, that you should secure pro-
tector as soon as possible. Society will
not censure you, you may be sure-be-
sides shall know how to silence any
gossip that savours of impertinence.n
A smile of conscious triumph parted
her lips.
"It shall be as you wish," she said de.
murely; 'ff you, who are known in
Naples as one who is perfectly indiffer-
ent to women, like now to figure as an
impatient lover, shall not objectl"
And she gave me quick glance of
mischievous amusement fSom under lam
guild lids of her dreamy dark eyes /
saw it, but answered stiffiv-
"You are aware, Contessa, and ! am
also aware that L am not lover &C.
cordinR to the accepted type, but that ]
am impatient readily admit
"And why?" she asked.
because" replied, speaking slowly
and emphatically, 81 desire you to be
mine and mine only, to have you abso-
lutely in my possession, and to feel that
no one can come between US, or interfert
with my wishes concerning you"
She laughed gaily. "a Ia bonne
heure! You are lover without. know
ing i'll Your dignity will not allow you
to believe that you are actually in love
with me, but in spite of yourself you are
you know you are!'
/ stood before her in almost sombre
silence. At last said, ''if you say so,
Contessa, then it must be so. / have
had no experience in affairs of the heart
as they are called, and ! find
1t difficult to give name to the
feelings which possess me; / am
only conscious OF very strong wish to
become the absolute master of your des-
Unity" And involuntarily l clenched
my hand as / spoke She did not OBJ
serve the action, but she. answered the
words with y graceful bend of the head
and smile"
81 could not have a better fortune.
she said, "for / am sure my destiny will |
be all brightness and beauty with you to |
control and guide itI''
''It will be what you Deserve" half |
then with an abrupt change |
of manner / said:
81 will wish you good night, Contessa
1t grows late, and my state of health com.
pels me TO retire to rest early"
She rose from her seat and gave me a |
look.
"You are really great sufferer then?"
she inquired tenderly. 81 am sorryi
But perhaps careful nursing will quite /
help you to secure better health
"Rest and happiness will no doubt dc |
much for me. :" answered, "still / warn
you, cara mia, that in accepting me as
your husband you take a broken down
man-one whose whims are legion and
whose chronic state of invalidism may in
time prose to be burden on your young
life Are you sure your decision is a
wise one?'
'Quite sure!' she replied firmly. "Do
not love you? And you will not al.
ways be ailing-you look so strong"
81 am strong TO a certain extent"
'aid. unconsciously Strengthening myself
IS stood. 81 have plenty of muscle as
Iar as that goes, but my nervous system
s completely disorganized. I-why,
What is the matter? Are you ill?"
For she had turned deathiy pale, and
her eyes looked startled and terri
led. Thinking she would faint, / ex-
ended my arms to save her from falling,
'ut she put them aside with an alarmed
ret appealing gesture.
1T is nothing" she murmered feebly,
a Sudden giddiness:-I thought-no
matter what! Tell me. are you not relat-
ID to the Romani family? When you
rev yourself up just now yop were so
ike-like Fabio! fsncied," and she
'huddered, that saw his ghost!''
supported her TO chair near the
window. which / threw open for air,
hongh the evening was cold.
"You are fatigued and over-excited,"
said calmly, ''your nature is too imagi-
native No: an not related to the Ro-
nanis, though possibly may have some
4 their mannerisms Many men are
like in these things. But you must not
i've way to such fancies, rest perfectly
luiet, you will soon recover
And pouring out q glass Of water, /
landed il TO her, She slipped it slowly,
Gaming back in the fauteuil where I
lad placed her, and in silence we both
ooked out on the November night
There was q moon but she was veiIed by
irving clouds, which ever and anon
wept asunder TO show her cleaning pal
idly white, like the restless spirit of .
eceived and murdered lady. A rising
ind moaned dismally among the fading :