"I am indeed full of sympathy," said Neri. "It is no wonder you could not return to Sicily as soon as you had planned."
"Everything conspired to hold me back. There were many things that needed attention, for her affairs had become badly mixed and required a strong hand to straighten them out. Yet all the time I knew I was needed here; I knew the Countess was in want of some one to lean upon. I came at the first opportunity, but—it seems I am too late. I am afraid, Neri—afraid for her. God knows what she may do."
"God knows!" agreed the soldier. "I pleaded with her; I tried to argue."
"But surely she can't absolutely disappear in this fashion. She will have to make herself known sooner or later."
"I'm not so certain. Her affairs are in good shape and Terranova is for sale."
"Doesn't the bank know her whereabouts?"
"If so, she has instructed them to conceal it."
"Nevertheless I shall go there in the morning and also to her cousins.
Will you help me?"
"Of course!" Neri regarded the young man curiously for an instant, then said, "You will pardon this question, I hope, but since she has taken such pains to conceal herself, do you think it wise to—to—"
"To force myself upon her? I don't know whether it is wise or foolish; all I know is that I must find her. I must!" Blake met the older man's eyes and his own were filled with a great trouble. "You told me once that revenge and hatred are bad companions for a woman and that it would be a great pity if Margherita Ginini did not allow herself to love and be loved. I think you were right. I'm afraid to let her follow this quest of hers; it may lead her into something—very bad, for she has unlimited capabilities for good or evil. I had hoped to—to show her that God had willed her to be happy. You see, Neri, I loved her even when Martel was alive."