Page:In Maremma, by Ouida (vol 3).djvu/246

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IN MAREMMA.

care should be to find a good advocate; his next, as he had little faith in those land sharks who live by the adversity of other men, was to study all ways and means by which, in case of any condemnation of her, her rescue might be compassed.

These two things he did, and put all his soul and his might into them, and praised Heaven that he had made enough gains out of his latest voyage to be able to throw money about in her cause without much prudence.

All the hot listless day in the dull sea-town he spent his whole time in pondering over that which he might do, and to the advocate he had hired he said again and again: 'Let her think the judge has appointed you; if she knew I had spoken to you, she would be angered: she is very proud, pray let her never know.'

And when the man of law pressed for his reasons in having this great anxiety for her, he answered once for all: 'I have seen her but thrice—out of doors, by the edge of the sea—and she thinks nothing of me, and never will think anything; but she is as innocent as the rock-doves yonder, and I love her well, though never, I tell you—