All the rages I had ever been in before in my life were as nothingcompared with the rage that devoured me when I had read that fourth pageof Mrs. Finch's letter. Nugent had got the better of me and myprecautions! Nugent had robbed his brother of Lucilla, in the vilestmanner, with perfect impunity! I cast all feminine restraints to thewinds. I sat down with my legs anyhow, like a man. I rammed my hands intothe pockets of my dressing-gown. Did I cry? A word in your ear--and letit go no farther. I swore.
How long the fit lasted, I don't know. I only remember that I wasdisturbed by a knock at my door.
I flung open the door in a fury--and confronted Oscar on the threshold.
There was a look in his face that instantly quieted me. There was a tonein his voice that brought the tears suddenly into my eyes.
"I must leave for England in two hours," he said. "Will you forgive me,Madame Pratolungo, before I go?"
Only those words! And yet--if you had seen him, if you had heard him, ashe spoke them--you would have been ready as I was--not only to forgivehim--but to go to the ends of the earth with him; and you would have toldhim so, as I did.
In two hours more, we were in the train, on our way to England.