With her vehemence went also her dignity.

She dropped upon her knees and dragged herself across the room to him.

To James her humility was more terrible than her passion, for passion had always distinguished her, and he was familiar with it; but pride had always gone hand in hand with it.

He stepped forward and would have raised her from the ground, but Maria would have none of his help; she crouched at his feet pleading.
"You told me business would call you to Spain.

Go there! Stay there! For a little--oh, not for long! But for a month, say, after your Princess comes triumphing into Bologna.