"
"The mountains are before us," said I, shouldering my gun.
"Listen, Princess: let us be good comrades, us two. Let us forget
what lies at the end of the journey--the convent for you, may be, and
for me at least the parting. My life has been spared to-day, and I
tell you frankly that I am glad of the respite. For you, the
mountains hold no slanders, and shall hold no evil. Put your hand in
mine on the compact, and we will both step it bravely. Forget that
you were ever a Princess or I a promised king of this Corsica!
O beloved, travel this land, which can never be yours or mine, and
let it be ours only for a while as we journey."
I turned and led the way up the path between the bushes: and she
followed my stride almost at a run. On the bare mountain-spur above
the high-road she overtook and fell into pace with me: and so,
skirting Nonza, we breasted the long slope of the range.
CHAPTER XXV.
MY WEDDING DAY.
Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge
in the villages. Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us
see whether the vine hath budded and the tender grape appear.
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