FullReads

In the last days of the month there came from Henry’s uncle and guardian, Wilfred Fenwick, an urgent summons. He was ill, he might be dying, and Henry was to return at once; while I, in anticipation of his return, was to continue in Italy. There was indeed nothing to call me home.

Therefore–and for other reasons–I abode in Italy; and after Henry’s departure I made evident progress in the graces of the Countess. Once or twice she allowed me to remain behind for half an hour. On these occasions she would come and throw herself down in a chair by the fire, and permit me to take her hand. But she was weary and silent, full of gloomy thoughts, which in vain I tried to draw from her. Still, I think it comforted her to have me thus sit by her.

One morning, while I was idly leaning upon the bridge, and looking towards the hills with their white marble palaces set amid the beauty of the Italian spring, one touched me on the shoulder. I turned, and lo–Lucia! Not any more the Countess, but Lucia, radiant with brightness, colour in her cheek for the first time since I had seen her in the Court of the South, animation sparkling in her eye.

“So I have found you, faithless one,” she said. “I have been seeking for you everywhere.”

“And I, have I not been seeking for you all these weeks–and never have found you till now, Lucia!”

I thought she would not notice the name.

“Why, Sir Heather Jock,” she returned, “did you not part with me last night at eleven of the clock?”

“Pardon me,” I replied, letting the love in my heart woo her through my eyes, and say what I dared not–at least, not here upon the open bridge over which we slowly walked. “Pardon me, it is true that I parted at eleven of the clock last night with Madame the Countess of Castel del Monte. But, on the contrary, this morning I have met Lucia–my little Saint Lucy of the Eyes.”

“Who in Galloway taught you to make such speeches?” she said. “It is all too pretty to have been said thus trippingly for the first time.”

“Love,” I made answer. “Love, the Master, taught me; for never before have I known either a Countess or a Lucia!”

“‘Douglas, Douglas, tender and true,’ does not your song say?” said she. “Will you ever be true, Douglas?”

“Lucy, will you ever be cruel? I dare you to say these things to-night when I come to see you. ‘Tis easy to dare to say them in the face of the streets.”

“Ah, Douglas, you will not see me to-night! I have come to bid you farewell–farewell!” said she, as tragically as she dared, yet so that I alone would hear her. Her eyes darted here and there, noting who came near; and a smile flickered about her mouth as she calculated precisely the breaking strain of my patience, and teased me up to that point. I can easily enough see her elvish intent now, but I did not then.

“I go this afternoon,” she said. “I have come to bid you farewell–‘Farewell! The anchor’s weighed! Remember me!'”

“Is that why you are so happy to-day, because you are going away?” I asked, putting a freezing dignity into my tones.

She nodded girlishly, and I admit, as a critic, adorably.

“Yes,” she said, “that is just the reason.”

We were now in the Public Gardens, and walking along a more quiet path.

“Good-bye, then,” I said, holding out my hand.

“No, indeed!” she said; “I shall not allow you to kiss my hand in public!”

And she put her hands behind her with a small, petulant gesture. “Now, then!” she said defiantly.

With the utmost dignity I replied–“Indeed, I had no intention of kissing your hand, Madame; but I have the honour of wishing you a very good day.”

So lifting my hat, I was walking off, when, turning with me, Lucia tripped along by my side. I quickened my pace.