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Nostromo: A Tale of the Seaboard

He approached then, and, looking through the win-

dow into the bedroom for fear of being detected by Linda returning there for some reason, he said, mov- ing only his lips: "You love me?" "More than my life." She went on with her em- broidery under his contemplating gaze, and continued to speak, looking at her work, " Or I could not live. I could not, Giovanni. For this life is like death. Oh, Giovanni, I shall perish if you do not take me away." He smiled carelessly. "I will come to the window when it's dark," he said. "No, don't, Giovanni. Not to-night. Linda and father have been talking together for a long time to- day." " What about?" "Ramirez, I fancy I heard. I do not know. I am afraid. I am always afraid. It is like dying a thou- sand times a day, Your love is to me like your treas- ure to you. It is there, but I can never get enough of it." He looked at her very still. She was beautiful. re had grown within him. He had two mas- ]<>w. Hut she was incapable of sustained emotion. n what she said, but she slept placidly at night. When she saw him she flamed up alw; n i>nly an increased taciturnity marked the change in her. She was afraid of betraying herself. She pain, of bodily harm, of sharp words, of facing anger, and witnessing pain. For her soul was light and tender with a pagan sincerity in its impulses. She

murmured:

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