"No, I will not! I will not!" cried Mrs. Belswin, savagely, rising to her feet. "Cannot you see how I suffer? If you love me as you say, you must see how I suffer. Give up my child, my life, my happiness! I cannot do it."
"Dio! you cannot make the miracles."
"I can! I must! Do you think I will stay with you while my child calls me?"
"With me you must stay, my Norma. I love thee. I will not leave you no more."
"You can't stop me."
"Ebbene," said Ferrari, conscious that he held the advantage. "Go, then, and see how il marito will behold you."
Mrs. Belswin felt her helplessness, and clenched her hands with a savage cry of despair, that seemed to be torn out of her throbbing heart. Up and down the gaudy room she paced, with her face convulsed with rage, and her fierce eyes flashing with an unholy fire, while Ferrari, secure in his position, sat quietly near the window, smoking leisurely. His self-possession seemed to provoke her, ready as she was to vent her impotent anger on anything, and, stopping abruptly she poured forth all her anger.
"Why do you sit there smiling, and smiling, like a fool?" she shrieked, stamping her foot. "Can you not suggest something? Can you not do something?"
"Eh, carissima, I would say, 'Be quiet' The people below will hear you cry out."
"Let them! What do I care? I am a desperate woman, Ferrari, and I am determined to keep my position beside my child. I will stop at nothing--nothing--not even murder!"