Argosy and Railroad Man's Magazine — page 172: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

514 “T am she,” she answered, and again the soft music of the voice thrilled Beatrice. She stepped closer. 5 ““T am Beatrice della Marca!” she said, and turned the lantern so that the light would fall on her own features. Sonia had started into life at the name. Now her eyes burned against the face of Beatrice. “IT have come to help yeu from the prison. I have come as your friend.” Again Sonia smiled. “You are she whom Peter Warburton modeled for his statue,”’ she asserted, ‘‘ and therefore you cannot be my friend. The walls are thick. How can you help me from the prison?” ““T know the words which will unlock these doors.” “What would you have of me?” asked Sonia coldly. “One small thing. Confess to your witchcraft. You are silent, and you smile again.. But have no fear. When you con- fess, you shall be given a light sentence, a mere nominal sentence. The Holy Father will exile you from his states, and I my- self will give you money which will keep you in comfort the rest of your days.” “ And what of Peter?” “He will receive new marble to make the statue which he has spoiled. All will be forgiven him, if you confess.” “That may not be.” “And why?” *“ Because he loves me!” “Tt was the madness of a moment, like wine. To-day he repents, and to-morrow he will forget.” “You speak your wish, but not the fact. You, also, love him!” : “This is folly, utter folly! I am Bea- trice of the house of Della Marca, and this is a nameless Englishman.” “You stammer as you deny, and your voice lingers on his name.” ~ “You gibe at me. Then it is useless for me to say more to you?” Sonia made no answer. “You are reconciled to the death by fire?” ‘““ My innocence will be clear as the light of day.” ‘““ Have you proofs?” ARGOSY AND RAILROAD MAN’S MAGAZINE. “* His love for me is proof enough.” “That is the very thing which will damn you, for will the Holy Father believe that love could'so bewitch the senses of a man that he would throw away his fame and name for a singing girl?” Sonia’s eyes glinted, and she advanced a step from her corner. “Go and leave me to my rats. not harm you!” “T shall not go, for I have not done! If you come nearer, remember, I am armed!” ®The thin-bladed poniard glittered in her hand. “It would be a-simple way to end it all. A single pressure of this knife and Peter Warburton would be free to walk on to greatness!” “You would not dare murder!”’ “Say you so? What voice would accuse Beatrice della Marca when she killed to save herself from the madness of a witch she would have helped from prison?” She stepped forward, the dagger quiver- ing eagerly, like the light in a stalking pan- ther’s eye. Sonia did not wince. “But I have no wish to frighten you, girl. Tell me for the last time—have you determined against a confession? Learn this—that the Holy Father has already re- solved his mind of your guilt. It is not long before you shall stand before him. Oh, be wise and tempt his mercy rather than his justice!” ‘“ Why do you come here to tempt me? I have no wish forfreedom which fe does not share! Is my life worth as much as our love? Go, go! I had rather have the squealing of the rats and the whispering of the dark than to hear your voice!”’ The voice of Beatrice trembled with her wrath and sense of failure. “T had not dreamed that such selfish cruelty could exist!” she cried. ‘“ You have followed him like a blight of Egypt and ruined all his bright hopes with your com- ing, and now you will not undo part of your wrongs! Is this your love for him? This is the love of the vampire who sucks the blood from the hearts of men!” “Tn what way have I wronged him?” asked Sonia, and though her voice was IT would comniclooolkks.conn