"You see, if you had strangled poor papa, it would have been dreadful! Oh, Tista, promise me that you will not do anything violent! Of course he is very unkind, I know.

But it would be terrible if you were to be angry and hurt him.

You will not, Tista?
Tell me you will not ?" "We shall see; we shall see, my love!" "You do not love me if you will not promise." "Oh, if that is all, my love, I will promise never to lay a finger on him until you are actually married to some one else.

But then--" Gianbattista made the gesture which means driving the knife into an enemy.
"Then you may do anything you please," answered Lucia, with a laugh.

"He will never make me marry any one but you.