Then with a low bow he turned away and disappeared in the
darkness. In five minutes he had reached the bridge, running at
the top of his speed, and he regained his post without his absence
having been observed.
When the two women were alone, Corona laid her hand upon
Faustina's shoulder and looked down into the girl's face.
"Faustina, my child," she said, "how could you be led into such a
wild scrape?"
"Why did you treat him so unkindly?" asked the young girl with
flashing eyes. "It was cruel and unkind--"
"Because he deserved it," answered Corona, with rising anger. "How
could he dare--from my house--a mere child like you---"
"I do not know what you imagine," said Faustina in a tone of deep
resentment. "I followed him to the Serristori barracks, and I
fainted when they were blown up. He found me and brought me to
you, because he said I could not go back to my father's house with
him. If I love him what is that to you?"
"It is a great deal to me that he should have got you into this
trouble."
"He did not. If it is trouble, I got myself into it. Do you love
him yourself that you are so angry?"
"I!" cried Corona in amazement at the girl's audacity. "Poor
Gouache!" she added with a half-scornful, half-pitying laugh.
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