But
how often you are far away! How often I do not see you for weeks, for
months at a time! Then I get nearly mad. I am determined to find out
where you are and what you are doing, with whom you are speaking and
then I say, I feel quite mad."
"Indeed! Then let me tell you, my dear girl, that it would do you no
good to know where I am, for I am much more exposed to the fire of
pointed rifles than to the fire of pretty eyes."
"Are you then a robber chieftain, a mountain smuggler?"
"I am a lot of things."
"Then take me with you into your band"--she spoke with heaving bosom.
But Fatia Negra stamped his foot.
"It cannot be, Anicza," said he; "think no more of it! I will never take
you with me."
"Why not?" asked the girl and her eyes flashed like a wild cat's.
"Because then I should become jealous of you and that would be bad for
us both. Remain in your father's house; there you are safe."
The girl drew from her bosom the defaced ducat she had just received
together with the crucifix.
"Hearken, Fatia Negra! my father says that this badly coined piece of
gold places your life in my hand. And know, besides, Fatia Negra, that I
have sworn on this Crucified One here that if ever you betray me I will
kill you in my fury without thinking twice about the how or where. It is
not well that two such dangerous objects should repose on my heart.
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