For some moments they gazed at each other in silence, then she said:
"They are calling me! I must return to my task of sorrow!"
"Strange words for a queen—" he said with an attempt at merriment.
"Queen of the Shades," she replied. "And I long for life—life—life! With all it has to give, with all it can bestow!"
A strange, witch-like fire had leaped into her eyes. Her lips, thirstily ajar, revealed two rows of white even teeth, and in that moment she looked so alluringly beautiful, that Francesco in a fever of passion threw his arms about her and kissed her passionately again and again, with moist, hungry lips.
"Will you not come?" she whispered, after having utterly abandoned herself to his embrace.
He shook his head.
"I have no part in this! I will await you here!"
The voices sounded nearer. Now could be distinguished the cry: "Proserpina—Proserpina!"
She turned reluctantly, with a last glance at him, and hastened back towards the revels.