Part 45 (2/2)
The brigands uttered loud cries, and advanced toward Hawbury. He sat regarding them with perfect indifference. They raised their rifles, some clubbing them, others taking aim, swearing and gesticulating all the time like maniacs.
Hawbury, however, did not move a muscle of his face, nor did he show the slightest feeling of any kind. He was covered with dust, and his clothes were torn and splashed with mud, and his hands were bound, and his mouth was gagged; but he preserved a coolness that astonished his enemies. Had it not been for this coolness his brains might have been blown out--in which case this narrative would never have been written; but there was something in his look which made the Italians pause, gave Girasole time to interfere, and thus preserved my story from ruin.
Girasole then came up and made his men stand back. They obeyed sullenly.
Girasole removed the gag.
Then he stood and looked at Hawbury. Hawbury sat and returned his look with his usual nonchalance, regarding the Italian with a cold, steady stare, which produced upon the latter its usual maddening effect.
”Milor will be ver glad to hear,” said he, with a mocking smile, ”dat de mees will be take good care to. Milor was attentif to de mees; but de mees haf been fiancee to me, an' so I take dis occazione to mak her mine. I sall love her, an' se sall love me. I haf save her life, an'
se haf been fiancee to me since den.”
Now Girasole had chosen to say this to Hawbury from the conviction that Hawbury was Minnie's lover, and that the statement of this would inflict a pang upon the heart of his supposed rival which would destroy his coolness. Thus he chose rather to strike at Hawbury's jealousy than at his fear or at his pride.
But he was disappointed. Hawbury heard his statement with utter indifference.
”Well,” said he, ”all I can say is that it seems to me to be a devilish odd way of going to work about it.”
”Aha!” said Girasole, fiercely. ”You sall see. Se sall be mine. Aha!”
Hawbury made no reply, and Girasole, after a gesture of impatience, walked off, baffled.
In a few minutes two men came up to Hawbury, and led him away to the woods on the left.
[Ill.u.s.tration: ”THEY SAW A RUINED HOUSE.”]
CHAPTER XXIV.
AMONG THE BRIGANDS.
Girasole now returned to the ladies. They were in the same position in which he had left them. Mrs. Willoughby with Minnie, and Ethel, with the maids, attending to Lady Dalrymple.
”Miladi,” said Girasole, ”I beg your attenzion. I haf had de honore to inform you dat dis mees is my fiancee. Se haf give me her heart an'
her hand; se love me, an' I love her. I was prevent from to see her, an' I haf to take her in dis mannaire. I feel sad at de pain I haf give you, an' a.s.suir you dat it was inevitabile. You sall not be troubled more. You are free. Mees,” he continued, taking Minnie's hand, ”you haf promis me dis fair han', an' you are mine. You come to one who loves you bettaire dan life, an' who you love. You owe youair life to me. I sall make it so happy as nevair was.”
”I'm sure _I_ don't want to be happy,” said Minnie. ”I don't _want_ to leave darling Kitty--and it's a shame--and you'll make me _hate_ you if you do so.”
”Miladi,” said Girasole to Mrs. Willoughby, ”de mees says se not want to leaf you. Eef you want to come, you may come an' be our sistaire.”
”Oh, Kitty darling, you won't leave me, will you, all alone with this horrid man?” said Minnie.
”My darling,” moaned Mrs. Willoughby, ”how can I? I'll go. Oh, my sweet sister, what misery!”
”Oh, now that will be really _quite_ delightful if you _will_ come, Kitty darling. Only I'm afraid you'll find it awfully uncomfortable.”
Girasole turned once more to the other ladies.
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