Therefore
I asked the padre; but I do not believe any more that the padre is
always right. God is better and wiser than he, and God will find a way
where a priest would find none."
There was something inexpressibly touching in the way she uttered
these simple words. Cranbrook, although he was, for reasons of his
own, disappointed at her perfect composure, felt the tears mounting to
his eyes, and his voice shook as he answered:
"I am not afraid of my lot in the next world, Annunciata; and although
it is kind of you to be troubled about it, I fear you can do nothing
to improve it. But my fate in this world I yearn to lay in your hands.
I love you very dearly, Annunciata, and all I need to make me what I
aspire to be is to have you give me a little affection in return.
What do you say, Annunciata? do you think you could? Would you be my
wife, and go with me to my own country and share my life, whatever it
may be."
"But signore," she replied, after a moment's deliberation; "my mother
would not like it, and Babetta would cry the whole day long when I was
gone."
"I am speaking seriously, Annunciata, and you must not evade my
question. It all depends upon you."
"No, it also depends upon mother and Babetta.
Pages:
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81