He had guessed Giovanni's
secret too well, and his heart was hardened against the woman who
had brought shame and suffering upon his son.
CHAPTER XI.
San Giacinto had signally failed in his attempt to prevent the
meeting between Gouache and Faustina Montevarchi, and had
unintentionally caused trouble of a much more serious nature in
another quarter. The Zouave returned to his lodging late at night,
and of course found no note upon his dressing-table. He did not
miss the pin, for he of course never wore it, and attached no
particular value to a thing of such small worth which he had
picked up in the street and which consequently had no associations
for him. He lacked the sense of order in his belongings, and the
pin had lain neglected for weeks among a heap of useless little
trifles, dingy cotillon favours that had been there since the
previous year, stray copper coins, broken pencils, uniform buttons
and such trash, accumulated during many months and totally
unheeded. Had he seen the pin anywhere else he would have
recognised it, but he did not notice its absence. The old woman,
Caterina Ranucci, hugged her money and said nothing about either
of the visitors who had entered the room during the afternoon. The
consequence was that Gouache rose early on the following morning
and went towards the church with a light heart.
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