"Father!" she murmured--"Dearest father! What is it?"
He lifted his tear-stained, agonised face, and seeing that the
tender eyes regarding him were full of fear and wonder as well as
love, he instantly controlled himself, and rising from his knees,
kissed her gently.
"I thought you were dead, my darling!" he said softly--"Hush now--do
not speak! Lie quite still! You are hurt a little,--you must rest!--
you will be better,--much better presently!"
But Angela's looks had again wandered, and now they were fixed on
Manuel. Over her whole face there came a sudden life and radiance.
"Manuel!" she said eagerly--"Manuel, stay with me! Do not leave me!"
Manuel smiled in answer to her appealing eyes, and came nearer.
"Do not fear!" he said--"I will stay!"
She closed her eyes again restfully, and her breathing grew lighter
and easier. Just then one of the servants entered with the physician
who was accustomed to attend the Sovrani household. His arrival
roused Angela completely,--she became quite conscious, and evidently
began to remember something of what had happened. The doctor raised
her to see where she was injured, and quickly cutting away her
blood-stained vesture, tenderly and carefully examined the wound.
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