Why should I fly?'
'Oh! this is madness!'
'Say, rather, inspiration,' said Tancred, 'for I will not quit this
fountain by which we first met until I am told, as you now will tell
me,' he added, in a tone of gushing tenderness, 'that our united
destinies shall advance the sovereign purpose of our lives. Talk not to
me of others, of those who have claims on you or on myself. I have no
kindred, no country, and, as for the ties that would bind you, shall
such world-worn bonds restrain our consecrated aim? Say but you love me,
and I will trample them to the dust.'
The head of Eva fell upon his shoulder. He impressed an embrace upon her
cheek. It was cold, insensible. Her hand, which he still held, seemed to
have lost all vitality. Overcome by contending emotions, the principle
of life seemed to have deserted her. Tancred laid her reclining figure
with gentleness on the mats of the kiosk; he sprinkled her pale face
with some drops from the fountain; he chafed her delicate hand. Her eyes
at length opened, and she sighed. He placed beneath her head some of
the cushions that were at hand. Recovering, she slightly raised herself,
leant upon the marble margin of the fountain, and looked about her with
a wildered air.
At this moment a shout was heard, repeated and increased; soon the sound
of many voices and the tramp of persons approaching.
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