صفحة 606 من 1118

But another No, more imperious than the first, whose sound was

heard in the depth of his soul, prevented his proceeding. "No,"

said he in a determined tone, as if expressing the command of

this secret voice,-"no; go to bed; and to-morrow morning you

shall do what I shall then order."

"This girl must have some demon who protects her," thought he, as

he remained alone, with his arms crossed on his breast, regarding

the fitful shadows cast by the rays of the moon on the floor,

which darted through the grating of the lofty windows. "She must

have some demon or an angel who protects her. Compassion in

Nibbio! To-morrow morning, to-morrow morning at the latest, she

shall be sent away; she must submit to her destiny, that is

certain. And," continued he, with the tone of one who gives a

command to a wayward child, under the conviction that he will not

obey it, "we will think of it no more. This animal Don Roderick

must not come to torment me with thanks, for-I do not wish to

hear her spoken of. I have served him-because I promised to do

so; and I promised, because it was my destiny. But Don Roderick

shall pay me with usury. Let us see--"