"Do you remember how terrible he looked when they arrested him on the sands, and those fierce threatening words of his? Even now I can hear them sometimes in my ears."
"Foolish little woman."
"I cannot help it. This girl's letter, with its note of proud independence, brings it all back to me. Geoffrey, Leonardo di Marioni comes of a race who pride themselves more than anything upon keeping their word in love and in hate. You can scarcely understand their fierce passionate nature. I have always felt that when the day of his release came he would remember his oath, and strive to work some evil upon us."
Lord St. Maurice passed his arm around his wife's waist, with a reassuring smile.
"It is five-and-twenty years ago, love. Is not that enough to set your fears at rest?"
She looked at him without a smile, grave and serious.
"The five-and-twenty years are up, Geoffrey. Leonardo is free!"
"What of it?" he answered carelessly. "If he has not forgotten us altogether, what harm could he do us?"
She clasped her hands around his neck, and looked into his face.
"Geoffrey, I have a confession to make," she whispered. "Will you forgive me?"