She broke into a loud laugh at the sight of Agnes’s astonished face.

“So, here you are!” she said, “Well, now, didn’t I tell you so?  You see he was in love with you, just as I said; and if you wouldn’t come to him of your own accord, he must fly off with you.”

“Oh, Giulietta!” said Agnes, springing towards her and catching her hands, “what does all this mean? and where have they carried poor grandmamma?”

“Oh, never worry about her!  Do you know you are in high favor here, and any one who belongs to you gets good quarters?  Your grandmother just now is at supper, I doubt not, with my mother; and a jolly time they will have of it, gossiping together.”

“Your mother here, too?”

“Yes, simple, to be sure!  I found it so much easier living here than in the old town that I sent for her, that she might have peace in her old age.—­But how do you like your room?  Were you not astonished to see it so brave?  Know, then, pretty one, that it is all on account of the good courage of our band.  For, you see, the people there in Rome (we won’t say who) had given away all our captain’s lands and palaces and villas to this one and that, as pleased them; and one pretty little villa in the mountains not far from here went to a stout old cardinal.  What does a band of our men do, one night, but pounce on old red-hat and tie him up, while they helped themselves to what they liked through the house?  True, they couldn’t bring house and all; but they brought stores of rich furnishing, and left him thanking the saints that he was yet alive.  So we arranged your rooms right nobly, thinking to please our captain when he comes.  If you are not pleased, you will be ungrateful, that’s all.”

“Giulietta,” said Agnes, who had scarcely seemed to listen to this prattle, so anxious was she to speak of what lay nearest her heart, “I want to see grandmamma.  Can’t you bring her to me?”

“No, my little princess, I can’t.  Do you know you are my mistress now?  Well, you are; but there’s one that’s master of us both, and he says none must speak with you till he has seen you.”

“And is he here?”

“No, he has been some time gone Northward, and has not returned,—­ though we expect him to-night.  So compose yourself, and ask for anything in the world, but to see your grandmother, and I will show that I am your humble servant to command.”

So saying, Giulietta curtsied archly and laughed, showing her white, shiny teeth, which looked as bright as pearls.

Agnes sat down on one of the velvet couches and leaned her head on her hand.

“Come, now, let me bring you some supper,” said Giulietta.  “What say you to a nice roast fowl and a bottle of wine?”

“How can you speak of such things in the holy time of Lent?” said Agnes.

“Oh, never you fear about that!  Our holy Father Stefano sets such matters right for any of us in a twinkling, and especially would he do it for you.”