That and his advances were answered by a frightened screech, a screech that
moved rapidly to the right as it was emitted. There came more snapping of
twigs, a light scurrying sound followed by a heavier one, and lastly a
panting of breath and a soft pattering of running feet upon the steps that
led up to the terrace where I walked.
I moved forward rapidly to the opening in the hedge where these steps
debouched, and no sooner had I appeared there than a soft, lithe body
hurtled against me so suddenly that my arms mechanically went round it, my
right hand still holding the De Civitate Dei, forefinger enclosed within
its pages to mark the place.
Two moist dark eyes looked up appealingly into mine out of a frightened but
very winsome, sun-tinted face.
"0 Madonnino!" she panted. "Protect me! Save me!"
Below us, checked midway in his furious ascent, halted Rinolfo, his big
face red with anger, scowling up at me in sudden doubt and resentment.
The situation was not only extraordinary in itself, but singularly
disturbing to me. Who the girl was, or whence she came, I had no thought
or notion as I surveyed her. She would be of about my own age, or perhaps
a little younger, and from her garb it was plain that she belonged to the
peasant class. She wore a spotless bodice of white linen, which but
indifferently concealed the ripening swell of her young breast.
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