She felt a sudden sense of insecurity, for the man was
trembling; the evident desire to touch her, to seize her in his
arms, was actually shaking him like an ague. What next would he
do? Of what wild extravagance was he not capable? He was a queer
mixture of fire and ice, of sensuality and self-restraint. She
knew him to be utterly lawless in most things, and yet toward her
he had shown scrupulous restraint. What possibilities were in a
man of his electric temperament, who had the strength to throttle
his fiercest longings?
The strained, throbbing silence that followed Longorio's last
words did more to frighten the woman than had his most ardent
advances.
After a time he lifted Alaire's hand; she felt his lips hot and
damp upon her flesh; then he turned and went away with the
document.
When he reappeared he was smiling. "These Garcias shall know who
interceded for them. You shall have their thanks," said he.
"No, no! It is enough that the man is free."
"How now?" The general was puzzled. "What satisfaction can there
be in a good deed unless one receives public credit and thanks for
it? I am not like that."
He would have lingered indefinitely over the table, but Alaire
soon rose to go, explaining:
"I must finish my disagreeable task now, so that I can go home to-
morrow.
Pages:
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197