“You must get away at night, Gregorio, and keep hidden all day.”
“All right. Give me some wine. I can arrange better when my thirst is satisfied.”
After drinking deeply he turned and laughed. “It has been a busy time since sunset.”
Then, as if a new idea suddenly struck him, he queried cunningly, “There will be a reward offered?”
“I suppose so.”
“Then you will be a rich woman.”
Madam Marx flung herself at his feet and wept bitterly. The blow was a cruel one indeed. Eagerly she entreated him to retract his words. She reminded him of all she had done for him, of all she would still do. A sort of eloquence came to her as she pleaded her cause, and Gregorio, weary with excitement, kissed her as he asked:
“But why should you not give me up?”
“Because I love you.”
Neither blood nor cruelty could stain him in her eyes.