He patted her beautiful hair with the air of an affectionate brother.
"Would to God, my child," he said, "that I had won your love instead of the woman's who—but no matter; my hand is red with her blood."
Adéle looked at him in dread surprise.
"Did you kill her?" she asked.
Bambino laughed, in a harsh, metallic tone.
"She is dead," he replied. "Ay, and—Corpo di Baccho! the man is in the grave, too."
"Man! what man?" inquired Adéle.
"Ask me no more questions, unless you want to madden me," cried Bambino. "I thought the wound was cicatrized, but you, with your childish questions, set my blood on fire. I loved that woman."
"Maltravers loved me once, yet I did not kill him when he deserted me and afterward drove me from him, when I laid my heart at his feet. How can you kill those you love?"
Bambino could say no more. He led Adéle gently but firmly up the companion-ladder, and in a few minutes the boat from the steamer was alongside.