You are doing yourself great harm." But she wished to die with her lover: "O my darling! if you must go, take me, take me with you.

I will lay myself on your heart, I will clasp you so tightly with my arms that they shall be joined to yours, and then we must needs be buried together.

Yes, yes, we shall be dead, and we shall be wedded all the same--wedded in death! I promised that I would belong to none but you, and I will be yours in spite of everything, even in the grave.

O my darling, open your eyes, open your mouth, kiss me if you don't want me to die as soon as you are dead!" A blaze of wild passion, full of blood and fire, had passed through that mournful chamber with old, sleepy walls.

But tears were now overcoming Benedetta, and big gasping sobs at last threw her, blinded and strengthless, on the edge of the bed.