"
"Ah no!" he answered sadly. "You could not have known what you were
doing, then. Your whole life has only saved half of mine."
A chill of fear shot through Veronica's heart.
"Dear," she said anxiously and nervously. "Have I done anything to make
you talk like this?"
"Yes, love, you have done much," he answered, with a tender, regretful
look. "No--do not start! I am sorry that you did not understand. It is
because you do so much, because you give your whole life for my wretched
existence, because I know what my hours of happiness cost you now and
will cost you hereafter. That is why I say these things. It would have
been so much easier and simpler if I had died with my hand in yours,
that day, when Don Teodoro married us. Veronica--tell me--did he say all
the words? I fainted, I think."
"Yes," answered Veronica, still pale. "He said all the words."
"And did he give us the benediction?"
"Yes, he gave us the benediction."
Gianluca sighed.
"Then it cannot be undone, dear," he said softly. "You must forgive me."
"I would not have it undone, Gianluca."
And before that great unselfishness, Veronica bowed her head down, until
her lips kissed his hands. But as she touched them, she heard the door
open, and instantly she was erect again, and trying to smile. Taquisara
came in.
Veronica rose, for she felt that she could not sit still by Gianluca's
side, with his words in her ear, her own scarcely cold upon her lips,
and the man for whom she would have given her soul's salvation, who
would have died ten deaths for her, standing quietly there, looking on.
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