Dream Tales and Prose Poems eBook

repeated them after him.  The dark liquid in the bowls began boiling; the bowls themselves began to resound with a faint bell-like note, and the brazen snakes coiled freely about each of them.  Then the Malay took a step forward, and raising his eyebrows and opening his eyes immensely wide, he bowed his head to Muzzio ... and the eyelids of the dead man quivered, parted uncertainly, and under them could be seen the eyeballs, dull as lead.  The Malay’s face was radiant with triumphant pride and delight, a delight almost malignant; he opened his mouth wide, and from the depths of his chest there broke out with effort a prolonged howl....  Muzzio’s lips parted too, and a faint moan quivered on them in response to that inhuman sound....  But at this point Fabio could endure it no longer; he imagined he was present at some devilish incantation!  He too uttered a shriek and rushed out, running home, home as quick as possible, without looking round, repeating prayers and crossing himself as he ran.

XIII

Three hours later, Antonio came to him with the announcement that everything was ready, the things were packed, and Signor Muzzio was preparing to start.  Without a word in answer to his servant, Fabio went out on to the terrace, whence the pavilion could be seen.  A few pack-horses were grouped before it; a powerful raven horse, saddled for two riders, was led up to the steps, where servants were standing bare-headed, together with armed attendants.  The door of the pavilion opened, and supported by the Malay, who wore once more his ordinary attire, appeared Muzzio.  His face was death-like, and his hands hung like a dead man’s—­but he walked ... yes, positively walked, and, seated on the charger, he sat upright and felt for and found the reins.  The Malay put his feet in the stirrups, leaped up behind him on the saddle, put his arm round him, and the whole party started.  The horses moved at a walking pace, and when they turned round before the house, Fabio fancied that in Muzzio’s dark face there gleamed two spots of white....  Could it be he had turned his eyes upon him?  Only the Malay bowed to him ... ironically, as ever.

Did Valeria see all this?  The blinds of her windows were drawn ... but it may be she was standing behind them.

XIV

At dinner-time she came into the dining-room, and was very quiet and affectionate; she still complained, however, of weariness.  But there was no agitation about her now, none of her former constant bewilderment and secret dread; and when, the day after Muzzio’s departure, Fabio set to work again on her portrait, he found in her features the pure expression, the momentary eclipse of which had so troubled him ... and his brush moved lightly and faithfully over the canvas.