"Naples is far from me as yet," he said with bowed head.
"Let me not hinder you,—since go you must."—
"Are you so anxious to be relieved of me?" he said bitterly.
"The fate of Conradino,—the fate of our friends hang in the balance."
"I could not save them single-handed, though I would!"
"Yet save them you must! You must redeem your past,—for my sake! Why not part here, since part we must? There are other claims upon my soul!"
"Raniero Frangipani still lives—"
"I shall never return to him!"
He did not answer her for a moment. Her eyes were troubled, she looked as one whose thoughts were buffeted by a strong wind. Above them the zenith mellowed to a deeper gold, and they had the noise of the waters in their ears.
"Ilaria," he said at last, "what would you with me? Am I not pledged to guard your life,—your honor?"