Dorothy, and Other Italian StoriesWoolson, Constance Fenimore
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Dorothy, and Other Italian Stories
Woolson, Constance Fenimore
Americans -- Italy -- Fiction; Italy -- Social life and customs -- Fiction; Short stories, American
"But won't she be arrested, in any case? Every one will know that she
attacked this girl, and that the girl has fled."
"No one knows that she attacked her. And even if it is guessed, Tuscan
peasants are not so easily alarmed as you suppose; they understand each
other. As to the disappearance of this one, I shall explain it by saying
that I decided to advance the money to send her as far as Florence,
instead of making her wait for the remittance which is expected from
the consul; it is known that she was to go before long, in any case. It
will cost me something, but I like peace and quietness. The other woman
is perfect as a servant, and the cause of her jealousy removed she will
continue perfect."
"Brrrr!" said Gray, uttering the sound that accompanies a shudder.
The Swede recognized the meaning of this; she looked at him quickly with
parted lips and her hand extended. She was ready to spring from the
phaeton.
"Do be quiet!" said Dennison. Then he spoke to the girl in Italian,
quieting her dread.
They reached the station in safety, and soon after sunrise the
Northerner, her breath still hurried, her hands cold, was placed in the
care of the official who had charge of the Florence train. Dennison gave
her his white silk handkerchief to tie over her uncovered head. The
daylight had revealed the discolored lines of the bruise on her cheek
produced by Modesta's blow. "Poor thing!" said Gray, as the train
started on its way, and they had a last glimpse of her frightened eyes
at the window.
"Yes. But she will get over it in time--she is strong and healthy. I
have telegraphed to the consul at Florence to meet her, and take every
care of her; he is to give her money from me, and then he is to send her
to Stockholm, comfortably, in the charge of a suitable person. When she
arrives there she will find a tidy little sum to her credit at a
banker's."
"You're paying well for her scare."
"I'm paying well for my comfort."
They took fresh horses and returned to Casa Colombina.
As the Tower of the Dove came into sight on its hill, Gray said: "She
won't be there, will she--I mean at the house?"
"Oh yes."
"What will she do when she sees us?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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