But
the weakness did not last long; and after a moment of two, with a sudden
gesture, almost Italian in its intensity, she flung back her head and
rose from her crouching position.
"I will not think of the beautiful place. I will not think of him, she
told herself passionately.
"But oh! will he be sorry that I ran away, or will he laugh, and ask
that proud servant to see that I haven't stolen anything?"
She shook her head mournfully at her own distorted reflection in the
cracked mirror, then she sighed and went downstairs.
Johann had returned, wonderful to relate, still fairly sober; but this
was probably due to the necessity of maintaining at least the appearance
of sobriety in his transaction on behalf of the gang concerning the sale
of the picture.
He was counting the coins on the table, some of them gold--for Jessica's
quick eyes caught the shimmer of it--and he looked up half fiercely,
half contemptuously as the girl entered.
"Well, where have been? You're like a cat or a policeman--never to
be found when you're wanted. There was a fine lady came to see you this
morning--a real swell, my girl." He laughed coarsely.
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