Part 56 (1/2)
”Oh yes,” said Russell, in his large way; ”and, what's more, I can make you happy for the rest of your life. I like you, Rita. I'm quite fond of you. You're an uncommonly pretty woman.”
Saying this, Russell took Rita's hand and pressed it with much emphasis. Now, the interpretation which Rita put upon these words and this action was very different from what Russell intended. The benignant Russell merely wished to impress upon Rita's mind that he had very friendly feelings toward her, and that, if she would help him, he was in a position to reward her handsomely. He didn't want to name any sum. He wished, for obvious reasons, to leave the amount unsettled. But Rita understood it differently. Being of a sentimental turn, she regarded this as a sort of declaration of love--in fact, almost an offer of marriage--and, if not so altogether, at least an approach to it. Still, she was a shrewd woman, and waited until Russell had explained himself further.
Russell observed her silence, and was quite satisfied. It showed proper caution, and caution was an excellent quality in one whom he wished to have for a helper in his need. So he went on in the same way, still holding Rita's hand.
”You are so pretty, Rita, my dear, I swear I never before saw such a pretty woman. This isn't the place for you. You must get out of this; and if you will only go away with me, why, there's nothing that I wouldn't do for you. When I like a person, I'm ready to do anything for them. And the first moment I saw you, I said to myself, 'There's the woman for you!'”
”Am I really the woman for you?” asked Rita, full of excited hopes, and still continuing to misinterpret his words.
”The very one!” said Russell. ”The one of all others! Heaven has sent you to me. Rita, my dear, do what I ask!”
Rita was deeply moved. This brilliant, wealthy stranger seemed to love her. He wanted her to fly with him. But, oh, if he should prove false!
”Ah, senor, you not earnest--you not true!” said Rita, clasping his hand in both of hers.
”True! earnest!” cried Russell. ”I swear, Rita, my dear, I will be true to what I say--always, always! Can't you trust me, Rita, my dear?”
”Oh, senor,” sighed Rita, deeply moved, ”you persuade me too easy.
And think on the danger--the life is risk--the death will come if we are captura.”
”Rita, my dear,” said Russell, ”let us not talk of danger. Let us fly together. I will always remember your devotion. I will never forget you as long as life lasts. I am noted for my truth and fidelity. I've got a warm and throbbing heart. And now, Rita, my dear, if you want one who will always be yours truly--if you want one who will love you and care for you--why, I'm your man!”
Upon these words Rita put, as usual, her own interpretation. The last words especially--”I'm your man”--seemed to her to be the most direct offer yet.
”My man?” she said--”and will you be my man, senor?”
”Of course--of course,” said Russell, not comprehending her drift.
Upon this Rita flung her arms around the neck of the astonished Russell.
”Oh, senor--then--I helpa you. I yours--I do all. We fly--you be true--to your Rita.”
Russell was so astonished that for some time he said nothing; but feeling how important it was to retain her friends.h.i.+p, he did not dare to disabuse her of her false idea; nay, he even felt that it would be better for her to entertain it since she had it. So he put his arm around her and kissed her.
Suddenly Rita started up.
”I mus' go,” she said. ”I will soon return.”
And with these words she hurriedly retreated, leaving Russell to his breakfast and his meditations.
Russell had been very successful in his attempt to win over Rita to his interests; in fact, too successful. His success caused him at first not a little perplexity. Rita, he perceived, had misunderstood him; but then, in making friendly advances to a woman who was not very well up in the English language, it was next to impossible to preserve those nice and delicate shades of meaning which he had intended. Upon the whole, however, after mature consideration, he concluded that it had all turned out for the best.
It was evident that this woman had formed a very strong attachment for him. Very well. She would be all the more devoted to his interests, and turn all her thoughts and energies toward securing his escape. Things could not have turned out better. He had not intended it, but if Rita chose to misunderstand him, why should he try to undeceive her? The more she cared for him, the better it would be for him. And thus Russell, out of his selfish desires for his own safety, allowed himself to trifle with the heart's best affections, and beguile poor Rita, and allure her with hopes that could never be realized.
After all, however, there were grave obstacles in his way. Could he desert his wife and leave her in such peril? Or, worse, could he leave those precious bonds, which he had so carefully hidden? If he did, he might never see them again.
Was it possible to get them before leaving? Would it be safe to tell Rita, and direct her to get them for him? This thought occupied him for some time, and he almost made up his mind to do so. But the risk was too great. After all, Rita might be a spy in the interests of ”His Majesty,” and sent to worm his secret out of him.
No, it would not be safe. It would be safer to leave the bonds where they were. If he escaped, he might hope to obtain a.s.sistance from the Government, in which case he might be able to come back with them, to show them the way, and then, when the castle was recaptured, he might be able to regain his treasure. And so he decided finally upon this course.