Natalie was
performing his favorite air, and as he listened, he gradually lost sight
of the object of his visit,--engulfed in the ocean of bliss which her
impassioned tones had spread before him, when he was recalled to a sense
of outward circumstances by the voice of the Signor, who, as the
bird-like trill of her voice died away, sprang to his feet, and in a
voice hoarse with passion, exclaimed,--"Never!" and was about to leave
the house, when Delwood intercepted him in the hall, and taking him by
the collar, demanded to know the cause of his strange conduct. The
Signor, in his peculiar dialect, replied, "Do not detain me, sir! it
were far better that none should ever know of the temptation which
well-nigh made me a villain!"
"You do not leave this house, sir, until you disclose to me what may
concern my welfare! And do not, I pray you, sir, force me to treat you
as other than a gentleman, for if I mistake not, you are yet worthy
of respect."
"You do me proud, sir; but I would much prefer to keep my own tongue;
for should it come to the ear of madam that her secret is a secret no
longer, I fear it may prove an injury to my professional duties.
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