ircase.Wemountedthestepsandcametoalittledoor.Heopeneditveryquietly,andwefoundourselvesbehindthearrasofGiulia'schamber.Ihadforgottentheexistenceofdoorandsteps,andsheknewnothingofthem.Therewasanopeninginthetapestrytogiveexit.
Noonewasintheroom.Wewaited,holdingourbreath.AtlastGiuliaentered.Shewalkedtothewindowandlookedout,andwentbacktothedoor.Shesatdown,butspranguprestlessly,andagainlookedoutofwindow.Whomwassheexpecting?
Shewalkedupanddowntheroom,andherfacewasfullofanxiety.Iwatchedintently.Atlastalightknockwasheardsheopenedthedoorandamancamein.Asmall,slight,thinman,withaquantityofcorn-colouredhairfallingoverhisshoulders,andapale,fairskin.Hehadblueeyes,andalittlegoldenmoustache.Helookedhardlytwenty,butIknewhewasolder.
Hesprangforward,seizingherinhisarms,andhepressedhertohisheart,butshepushedhimback.
'Oh,Giorgio,youmustgo,'shecried.'Hehascomeback.'
'Yourhusband?'
'Ihopedyouwouldnotcome.Goquickly.Ifhefoundyouhewouldkillusboth.'
'Tellmeyouloveme,Giulia.'
'Ohyes,Iloveyouwithallmyheartandsoul.'
Foramomenttheystoodstillinoneanother'sarms,thenshetoreherselfaway.
'Butgo,forGod'ssake!'
'Igo,mylove.Good-bye!'
'Good-bye,beloved!'
Hetookherinhisarmsagain,andsheplacedhersaroundhisneck.Theykissedoneanotherpassionatelyonthelipsshekissedhimasshehadneverkissedme.
'Oh!'Igaveacryofrage,andleapedoutofmyconcealment.InaboundIhadreachedhim.TheyhardlyknewIwasthereandIhadplungedmydaggerinhisneck.Giuliagaveapiercingshriekashefellwithagroan.Thebloodspatteredovermyhand.ThenIlookedather.Sheranfrommewithterror-strickenface,hereyesstartingfromherhead.Irushedtoherandsheshriekedagain,butFabiocaughtholdofmyarm.
'Nother,nothertoo!'
Iwrenchedmyhandawayfromhim,andthen—thenasIsawherpallidfaceandthelookofdeathlyterror—Istopped.Icouldnot