Monte-Cristos Daughter | Page 9

her. Again secreting her lover's epistle in her
bosom, she went to meet them.
CHAPTER III.
THE INTRUDER IN THE CONVENT GARDEN.
As the hour for the evening promenade drew near, Zuleika became
painfully excited, and uneasy. She longed with all her heart to see
Giovanni Massetti again, to hear the ardent words of love he would be
sure to utter, but would she be doing right to meet him clandestinely
and alone? Her mind misgave her. Of course she could trust her young
Italian lover, for he was the very soul of chivalry and honor. But did
others know this? How would her conduct be judged should the other
pupils and Sister Agatha steal upon them unawares? Giovanni might
escape without recognition, but with her it would be altogether
different. She could escape only by coining an ingenious lie, and at that
her whole nature revolted. She could not stoop to an innocent deception,
much less to an absolute falsehood. Why had Giovanni tempted her?
Why had he sought to place her in a situation he must know would be
perilous? There was but one answer--because of his love--and that
answer was sufficient to induce her to take the risk, however great it
might be. Yes, she would meet him at the appointed time and spot.
At length the bell rang for the promenade, and Sister Agatha headed the
little procession for the garden. For a brief space Zuleika lingered with
her companions among the shady walks and gorgeous flowers, but at
the first opportunity stole away and sought the leafy elm, beneath the
friendly boughs of which she was to receive the welcome yet dreaded
visit from the Viscount Massetti. She gained the rendezvous
unobserved, with loudly beating heart. The young Italian was not there.

She searched eagerly but vainly for him in the gathering twilight. What
had happened to prevent his coming? She was on thorns of anxiety.
Perhaps he had attempted to scale the wall and had fallen, sustaining
some severe injury! Perhaps even then, while she was waiting for him,
he was lying outside the wall, bruised and bleeding! But what could she
do? Only wait, wait, with torturing thoughts seething in her troubled
brain.
She listened intently. Not a sound. If Giovanni were wounded, disabled,
he was maintaining a most heroic silence. She drew a magnificent gold
watch, the exquisite case of which was thickly incrusted with diamonds,
from her belt and glanced at the dial. It was after seven o'clock, and by
eight all the scholars were required to be safely housed within the
convent. Besides, she was not sure that she would not be missed,
searched for and found. What should she do, what course should she
take?
As she was debating within herself, uncertain whether to remain or
return, there was a rustle amid the foliage of the chestnut tree
immediately outside the garden enclosure, and a man's form swung
from one of the branches to the top of the wall. Zuleika's emotion
well-nigh overcame her. She had recognized Giovanni. In another
instant he had leaped from the wall to the ground and was at her side.
He stretched out his arms to her and the girl, all of a tremble,
impetuously cast herself into them.
"Oh! Giovanni!" she murmured. "At last. I feared some terrible
accident had befallen you."
"I am safe, darling Zuleika," answered the young Italian, folding her in
a close embrace and showering ardent kisses upon her forehead and lips.
"But you, dearest, you are well? You have not forgotten me, have not
ceased to love me?"
"Forgotten you, ceased to love you, Giovanni!" whispered the
quivering girl, in a tone of slight reproach, gazing fondly into his eyes.
"Have I not given you my solemn promise to love you only?"

"Forgive me, my own!" cried the youthful Viscount. "What is a lover
without fears and doubts? They are the proof of the strength of his
adoration!"
They seated themselves at the foot of the branching elm, the friendly
shelter of which shut them in. Then Zuleika said, with apprehension in
her voice:
"Why did you come here, Giovanni? Are you not aware that you are
running a great risk and putting me in peril? If we are found together,
you will be ignominiously expelled and I severely punished. Besides,
think of the disgrace for us both in such an event! The matter will get
abroad, furnish food for gossip and certainly reach the ears of my father
and brother, whose displeasure I dread more than all else! Think, too,
that Espérance will call you to account for your conduct, and I could
never bear a quarrel between you and him in which, perhaps, blood
might be shed!"
"Never fear, Zuleika," replied Massetti, gallantly. "Should we be
discovered I