She had entered a blind alley on the left when
she ran against two men, who unexpectedly emerged from one of
those underground wine-shops which are numerous in that
neighbourhood. They were talking in low and earnest tones, and one
of them staggered backward as the young girl rushed upon him in
the dark. Instinctively the man grasped her and held her tightly
by the arms.
"Where are you running to, my beauty?" he asked, as she struggled
to get away.
"Oh, let me go! let me go!" she cried in agonised tones, twisting
her slender wrists in his firm grip. The other man stood by,
watching the scene.
"Better let her go, Peppino," he said. "Don't you see she is a
lady?"
"A lady, eh?" echoed the other. "Where are you going to, with that
angel's face?"
"To the Serristori barrack," answered Faustina, still struggling
with all her might.
At this announcement both men laughed loudly and glanced quickly
at each other. They seemed to think the answer a very good joke.
"If that is all, you may go, and the devil accompany you. What say
you, Gaetano?" Then they laughed again.
"Take that chain and brooch as a ricordo--just for a souvenir,"
said Gaetano, who then himself tore off the ornaments while the
other held Faustina's hands.
Pages:
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105