Four Phases of Love

sprang up, stepped out into the sun, and examined carefully the paths which led right and left to the two island towns. "The weather looked suspicious," he told the hostess; "it was clear en

N

r what he had said, if i

over there?" asked the

We have had hard times till now.

e. Have you done be

an who wanted a row on the sea or to fish--that was all. But you know that my uncle has got the great orange garden, and is a rich man. 'Toni

r uncle

pe many a good piaster together; now he has an idea of setting up a large fishery, a

h one has his burden to bear," he said. Then he sprang up and looked right and le

flask, your uncle can pay

more, my head

uch as you like of it. Here is my husband just c

red by the great lady for our little friend the padre of Lorento. When he caught sight of the young fisherman he waved him a hearty greeting; then seating himself near him on the bench, began to question and talk. His wife h

girl from Lorento who came this morning with the padr

the host, "she will have time enough to drink a

drink," said Lauretta, rema

, pour out, she

teps approached the boat. She glanced on all sides, as if she hoped for the arrival of other passengers; but the Marina was deserted; the fishermen slept, or were away at sea with their nets and hooks. A few women and children sat in their doorways, sleeping or spinning; and the strangers who had come across in

en profil. The expression of her face was even more haughty than usual; the dark hair hung low over the broad low fore

her face, so she took her bread out and threw the handkerchief over her hair

ver full in the morning, and said, "Here is something to eat with your bread, Lauretta--don't think that I kept

them yourself, my br

in the heat, and you hav

f water above there, th

d, and let them fall ba

round the boat's keel--even the white seamews, that had the

ranges home to your mothe

and when they are gone,

to her with a k

s not kn

tell her

not kn

, he stood gazing at her, forgetting that he was just in the centre of the play-ground, and might have cleared it in two steps. A ball, thrown by no friendly hand, struck him on the ancle, and reminded him that that was not the place to lose himself in reveries. He looked round as if he expected an apology; the young fisherman who had thrown the ball, stood silent and defiant amongst his companions, and the stranger thought it h

over them, and his lips moved from time to time as if he spoke evil words. She pretended not to observe it, put on her most indifferent expression, bent over the side of the boat and let the water run through

lay bathed in sun-mist; not even a seamew broke in upon the intense solitude. Antonino glanced around him. An idea seemed to force its way thro

ot sent me mad before this! You do not know me, you say? Have you not long enough seen how I passed you like a madman,

wanted to attach yourself to me; but I do not want to be gossipped about for not

he painter. Bah! you were a child then. You will get lonesome some

erhaps I may change my mind

ocked again. "What is that to me! and you can ask me that, when you know how I feel

I to blame if you let your brain w

right over you as I have to enter heaven if I die an honest man. Do you think that I will look on calmly when you go

trouble myself, scold as you

. "I am man enough not to let my life be destroyed by such fancies.

her, and her eye

you like." she

he spoke almost compassionately, dreamingly. "But we must dive below, both of us--and at once--and now," he shrieked, madly sei

den turn; "let us, see whether I am in your power." And then she sprang o

, steadily from the boat towards the shore. Sudden terror seemed to have paralyzed Antonino. He stood bent forward in the boat, his eyes fixed staringly upon her, as if a miracle was being enacted

t! I have been a madman, God knows what took away my reason. It struck into my brain like lightning from heaven, and burnt i

he land, it is still two miglia off. Think of your moth

garments and wrung the water from her hair. As she did it, she glanced at the flooring of the boat, and saw the blood; then she cast a hasty look at his hand, which wielded the oar as unwounded. "There," she said, and reached him her handkerchief. He shook his head and rowed onwards. At last she rose, stepped over to him, and bound the handkerchief tightly over the deep wound. Then, in spite of his resistanc

and sprang on shore. The old spinning woman who had seen them start in the morning stood again on her roof.

ail that stuck out too far. It will be well by to-morrow. The bloo

upon it, Comparello. Wait, I w

now and to-morrow it will be gone and forgotten.

urning towards the path t

g towards her. Then he took his tackle out of the boat, and