Hugh Crichton's Romance. Coleridge Christabel Rose
spoke not a word. She rose up, obedient to her father’s eye, and, perhaps, somewhat urged by the long habit of obedience to the manager. She dared not utter the refusal on her lips. What would they do to her; what would they say? It was better to submit – to submit till he came. Signor Vasari took her by the hand, bowed profoundly, and offered to her a handsome diamond cross and chain of pearls.
“Permit me, Signorina; they were the jewels of a princess.”
He fastened it on her neck, and then, putting his arm around her, drew her towards him as he had done before now – on the stage. Violante started and lifted her eyes. There stood Hugh Crichton within the door, his eyes fixed on her, his face as pale as hers.
“Signor Mattei, you were right, and I thank you,” he said in English, and in a hard, fierce voice. Then he turned and was gone, before anyone spoke a word.
Suddenly Violante wrenched herself out of Vasari’s grasp. She pulled the cross off her neck, scattering the pearls far and wide as she threw it on the floor.
“I hate you!” she said, “I hate you! And if you marry me I will kill you.”
“Signorina!” ejaculated the astonished manager.
“Violante, Violante!” cried Rosa.
“I hate, you!” she repeated, and then she threw herself on her knees.
“Father, father, father, kill me, kill me first.”
“Ungrateful, wicked child, you are driving a dagger into my breast!” cried Signor Mattei.
“I am deceived, I am deceived, but I will have my rival’s blood!” exclaimed Vasari.
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