It is not
surprising therefore that he should have found so many
opportunities of meeting Donna Faustina, especially as Corona di
Sant' Ilario had taken a great fancy to the young girl and invited
her constantly to the house.
On the very first occasion when Gouache called upon the Princess
Montevarchi in order to express again his thanks for the kindness
he had received, he found the room half full of people. Faustina
was sitting alone, turning over the pages of a book, and no one
seemed to pay any attention to her. After the usual speeches to
the hostess Gouache sat down beside her. She raised her brown
eyes, recognised him, and smiled faintly.
"What a wonderful contrast you are enjoying, Donna Faustina," said
the Zouave.
"How so? I confess it seems monotonous enough."
"I mean that it is a great change for you, from the choir of the
Sacro Cuore, from the peace of a convent, to this atmosphere of
war."
"Yes; I wish I were back again."
"You do not like what you have seen of the world, Mademoiselle? It
is very natural. If the world were always like this its attraction
would not be dangerous. It is the pomps and vanities that are
delightful."
"I wish they would begin then," answered Donna Faustina with more
natural frankness than is generally found in young girls of her
education.
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