He was interrupted by the appearance of Rosabella, who, with
tottering steps and pale cheeks, advanced slowly into the apartment.
She saw Flodoardo, and a faint blush overspread her countenance.
Flodoardo rose from his seat, and welcomed her with an air of
distant respect.
"Do not go yet," said the Doge; "perhaps in half an hour I may be at
liberty: in the meanwhile I leave you to entertain my poor
Rosabella. She has been very ill during your absence; and I am
still uneasy about her health. She kept her bed till yesterday, and
truly I think she has left it too soon."
The venerable Doge quitted the apartment, and the lovers once more
found themselves alone. Rosabella drew near the window; Flodoardo
at length ventured to approach it also.
"Signora," said he, "are you still angry with me?"
"I am not angry with you," stammered out Rosabella, and blushed as
she recollected the garden scene.
"And you have quite forgiven my transgression?"
"Your transgression?" repeated Rosabella, with a faint smile; "yes,
if it was a transgression, I have quite forgiven it. Dying people
ought to pardon those who have trespassed against them, in order
that they, in their turn, may be pardoned their trespasses against
Heaven--and I am dying; I feel it."
"Signora!"
"Nay, 'tis past a doubt. It's true, I have quitted my sick-bed
since yesterday; but I know well that I am soon to return to it,
never to leave it more. And therefore--therefore, I now ask your
pardon, signor, for the vexation which I was obliged to cause to you
the last time we met."
Flodoardo replied not.
"Will you not forgive me? You must be very difficult to appease--
very revengeful!"
Flodoardo replied not.
"Will you refuse my offered hand? Shall all be forgotten?"
"Forgotten, lady? Never, never--every word and look of yours is
stamped on my memory, never to be effaced. I cannot forget a
transaction in which YOU bore a part: I cannot forget the scene
that passed between us, every circumstance is too precious and
sacred. As to PARDON"--he took her extended hand and pressed it
respectfully to his lips--"I would to Heaven, dear lady, that you
had in truth injured me much, that I might have much to forgive you.
Alas! I have at present nothing to pardon."
Both were now silent. At length Rosabella resumed the conversation
by saying--"You have made a long absence from Venice; did you travel
far?"