Bitterly did the old man rue his folly, yet, alas! he knew but half the cause of that ingrate and wretched woman’s fierce outbreaks of temper.
She followed his retreating form, with a glaring of mingled rage and fear, gnawing her white lips, while she muttered, in a low, fierce tone—
“I could tear my heart out! I could bite my tongue off, for thus betraying me! Shall I ever have power to chain and guide the tiger in me? But he with his doting, and they with their dalliance, goad me to extremity? But,” she exclaimed, clenching her fist, setting her teeth, and glaring, while all her countenance darkened with rage and anguish—“But, before they shall MARRY under my very eyes, and live here, maddening my soul and senses, day and night, by the view of their love and joy, I will pull down ruin on the heads of all! Yes, although myself should be the first to fall!” She paused in silent thought some time, then rising, said, “Down, tiger heart! Down! crouch! Be smooth, brow! Be smiling, lip! Be tender, eyes! Be soft, voice! And now to go and pacify the old man, before his vexation betrays me to the others. Ah! it is well they have never witnessed my excitement! Come! in time I shall learn to curb wild impulses, and only spring upon my prey when time and place is fit!”
Soft, smooth, fascinating, seductive, she glided from her chamber out into the upper piazza, where the old man’s slow and heavy footfall was heard—she glided after him, and with an air of sweet, familiar, childish freedom, she raised his arm, and putting her beautiful head under it, drew his hand around her neck and over her bosom, and looking up pleadingly, simply, into his benevolent face, murmured, merely—
“I am so sorry Mr. Clifton!”
“Never mind! never mind, my dear!” said the old gentleman, stooping and kissing her brow.
“Oh, but I am! so sorry!”
“You, child! Do you think I mind your little petulance?”
“Oh! you are good, you are good. Indeed, I’m quite unworthy of you!” she whispered softly, pressing her head against his bosom, and clinging close.
“You, darling!” cried the old man, stroking her curls in delight.