"And you have quite forgiven my transgression?""Your transgression?" repeated Rosabella, with a faint smile; "yes, if it was a transgression, I have quite forgiven it. Dying people ought to pardon those who have trespassed against them, in order that they, in their turn, may be pardoned their trespasses against Heaven--and I am dying; I feel it.""Signora!"
"Nay, 'tis past a doubt. It's true, I have quitted my sick-bed since yesterday; but I know well that I am soon to return to it, never to leave it more. And therefore--therefore, I now ask your pardon, signor, for the vexation which I was obliged to cause to you the last time we met."Flodoardo replied not.
"Will you not forgive me? You must be very difficult to appease--very revengeful!"
Flodoardo replied not.
"Will you refuse my offered hand? Shall all be forgotten?""Forgotten, lady? Never, never--every word and look of yours is stamped on my memory, never to be effaced. I cannot forget a transaction in which YOU bore a part: I cannot forget the scene that passed between us, every circumstance is too precious and sacred. As to PARDON"--he took her extended hand and pressed it respectfully to his lips--"I would to Heaven, dear lady, that you had in truth injured me much, that I might have much to forgive you.
Alas! I have at present nothing to pardon."Both were now silent. At length Rosabella resumed the conversation by saying--"You have made a long absence from Venice; did you travel far?""I did."
"And received much pleasure from your journey?""Much; for everywhere I heard the praises of Rosabella.""Count Flodoardo," she interrupted him with a look of reprehension, but in a gentle voice, "would you again offend me?""That will soon be out of my power. Perhaps you can guess what are my present intentions.""To resume your travels soon?"
"Exactly so; and the next time that I quit Venice, to return to it no more.""No more?" she repeated, eagerly. "Oh, not so, Flodoardo! Ah, can you leave me?"--She stopped, ashamed of her imprudence. "Can you leave my uncle? I meant to say. You do but jest, I doubt not.""By my honour, lady, I never was more in earnest.""And whither, then, do you mean to go?"
"To Malta, and assist the knights in their attacks upon the corsairs of Barbary. Providence, perhaps, may enable me to obtain the command of a galley, then will I call my vessel 'Rosabella;' then shall the war-cry be still 'Rosabella;' that name will render me invincible.""Oh! this is a mockery, Count. I have not deserved that you should sport with my feelings so cruelly.""It is to SPARE your feelings, signora, that I am now resolved to fly from Venice; my presence might cause you some uneasy moments. Iam not the happy man whose sight is destined to give you pleasure; Iwill, at least, avoid giving you pain."
"And you really can resolve to abandon the Doge, whose esteem for you is so sincere, whose friendship has always been so warm?""I value his friendship highly, but it is not sufficient to make me happy, and could he lay kingdoms at my feet, still would his friendship be insufficient to make me happy.""Does, then, your happiness require so much?""It does--much more than I have mentioned, infinitely more. But one boon can make me happy; I have begged for it on my knees." He caught her hand and pressed it eagerly to his lips. "I have begged for it, Rosabella, and my suit has been rejected.""You are a strange enthusiast," she said with difficulty, and scarcely knew what she said, while Flodoardo drew her gently nearer to him, and murmured in a supplicating voice, "Rosabella!""What would you of me?"
"My happiness!"
She gazed upon him for a moment undecided, then hastily drew away her hand, and exclaimed, "Leave me, this moment, I command you.
Leave me, for Heaven's sake!"
Flodoardo clasped his hands together in despair and anguish. He bowed his head in token of obedience. He left her with slow steps and a melancholy air, and as he passed the threshold, turned to bid her farewell for ever. Suddenly she rushed towards him, caught his hand, and pressed it to her heart.
"Flodoardo," she cried, "I am thine!" and sank motionless at his feet.