"Signorina," he said, evidently greatly embarrassed, "you humiliate me.
You--you do not know what you ask--"
He had led her back to the garden-seat; they had both sat down; he did
not notice how her bosom was struggling with emotion.
"You ask me to interfere--to commit an act of injustice--"
"Oh, signore, signore, this is what I ask!" she cried, quite overcome;
and she fell at his feet, and put her clasped hands on his knees, and
broke into a wild fit of crying; "this is what I ask of you,
signore--this is what I beg from you on my knees--I ask you to give me
the life of--of my betrothed!"
She buried her face in her hands; her frame was shaken with her sobs.
"Little daughter," said he, greatly agitated, "rise; come, remain here
for a few moments; I wish to speak to your mother--alone. Natalie!"
The elder woman accompanied him a short distance across the lawn; they
stood by the fountain.
"By Heaven, I would do anything for the child!" he said, rapidly; "but
you see, dear friend, how it is impossible. Look at the injustice of it.
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