"Do you contemplate an imitation of Colonel Blood's exploit for the replenishment of our empty exchequer?" he said, smiling.
"I have often envied Blood's opportunities," answered Hora thoughtfully, "but at the present day there are much greater difficulties in the way than Blood had to contend with. Some day, perhaps, but just now I have another scheme in my mind." He rose from the table. "I have something to tell you," he remarked. "You will excuse me for a minute."
He left the room. As the door closed on Hora, Myra turned eagerly to her companion. She felt that, despite her promise to Hora, she must give utterance to the fears which once again possessed her mind.
"Guy," she said, "I wish you would persuade the Commandatore to leave London for a while. He would listen to any wish of yours."
"Do you think so?" he asked. "I don't think that any expression of mine would turn him from any purpose he has in view."
"But can you not try?" she persisted. "For my sake, Guy."
"Why, whatever is the matter with you, Myra?" asked the young man, his attention captured by the obvious anxiety in her voice. "Surely you are not becoming afraid?"
"Becoming afraid?" she repeated after him mechanically. "No, I am not becoming afraid. I learned what fear was long ago, when first I ventured to put my own desires in opposition to the will of the Commandatore. I have always been afraid since then." She fell to silence.
"There's no reason to fear the Commandatore," answered Guy cheerfully. "You are growing morbid, Myra."
She paid no heed to his comment. "It is not fear now, or at least not what is generally understood by fear. There is an oppression in the air, the weight of something unseen and unknown presses on me."