But his voice almost
failed him.
"How much? Tell us."
Ruggiero was silent a moment. Then his eyes flashed suddenly as he
looked down at her and his voice came ringing and strong.
"So much that I would pray that Christ and the sea would take her,
rather than that another man should get her! Per Dio!"
There was such a vibration of strong passion in the words that Beatrice
started a little and San Miniato looked up in surprise. Even the
Marchesa vouchsafed the sailor a glance of indolent curiosity. Beatrice
bent over to the Count and spoke in a low tone and in French.
"We must not tease him any more. He is in love and very much in
earnest."
"So am I," answered San Miniato with a half successful attempt to seem
emotional, which might have done well enough if it had not come after
Ruggiero's heartfelt speech.
"You!" laughed Beatrice. "You are never really in earnest. You only
think you are, and that pleases you as well."
San Miniato bit his lip, for he was not pleased. Her answer augured ill
for the success of the plan he meant to put into execution that very
evening. He felt strongly incensed against Ruggiero, too, without in the
least understanding the reason.
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