Taquisara by F. Marion (Francis Marion) Crawford
page 20 of 508 (03%)
page 20 of 508 (03%)
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and turned very white, almost rising from his seat.
"Murder?" he cried; "what do you mean?" Matilde's smooth red lips smiled. "I merely mentioned it as an instance of a crime," she said, without any change of tone. "You said it would be a crime for you to marry Veronica. It did not strike me that it could be called by that name. Crimes are murder, stealing, forgery--such things. Who would say that it was criminal for Bosio Macomer to marry Veronica Serra? There is no reason against it. I daresay that many people wonder why you have not married her already, and that many others suppose that you will before long. You are young, you have never been married, you have a very good name and a small fortune of your own." "Take it, then!" exclaimed Bosio, impulsively. "You shall have it all to-morrow--everything I possess. God knows, I am ready to give you all I have. Take it. I can live somehow. What do I care? I have given you my life--what is a little money? But do not ask me to marry her, your niece, here, under your very roof. I am not a saint, but I cannot do that!" "No," answered the countess, "we are not saints, you and I, it is true. For my part, I make no pretences. But the trouble is desperate, Bosio. I do not know what to do. It is desperate!" she repeated with sudden energy. "Desperate, I tell you!" "I suppose that all I have would be of no use, then?" asked Bosio, disheartened. |
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