“How should I approach the object of my mission? how put fear into the hearts of joyous innocence?  Their father had bidden them go to the city with a load of oranges.  These were to be conveyed in large baskets, or panniers, on the back of a faithful donkey.  If I could keep them away from home, delay them by some pretext from returning for at least a day, I might aid them.  So with this determination I proceeded to act.

“At every place or with every person to whom they offered their fruit I whispered objections, asked if their prices were not very high, or if the fruit were not picked too early.  So well did I succeed that I had nearly upset my own plans, for poor Tessa, becoming discouraged, wanted to return home at once, but Tasso stoutly declared he would sell every orange before going back—­that his fruit was good and ripe, and it should be appreciated.  I was pained to see Tessa’s tears, but what could I do?  Already thick smoke was pouring down the mountain’s side, and so many were the rumbling sounds that although these children were accustomed to such disturbances, fears began to assail them.

“They were now well away from home, and had paused at the roadside to eat their bread-and-cheese.  People were becoming unusually numerous.  Excitement was prevailing, and Tessa saw with alarm women and children hurrying past.  At that moment a travelling carriage appeared.  One could see at a glance from its neat compactness that it was English.  I put my head in the window, and whispered something.  At once a gray-haired lady leaned out, and beckoned to Tessa, who tremblingly obeyed.

“‘My child,’ said the lady, kindly, ’I want some oranges.  Can you give them to me quickly?  You know we have no time to spare.’

“‘Yes, madame,’ said Tessa.  ’But what is the matter?  You and every one look so anxious.’

“Instantly, as she spoke, there was a terrible quivering of the earth, which made every one shudder.  The driver could scarcely hold his horses; they plunged and reared and trembled.

“‘Ah! we cannot wait,’ said the lady; but seeing the terrified looks of the children, she paused to ask, ‘Are you children alone?’

“‘Entirely so, signorina.’

“‘And where are you going?’

“‘Home, to the mountain.’

“‘You cannot go there; it is too late.’  Then with a sudden resolution she turned to the maid beside her.  ’We will take them with us; their load is too heavy for them to get on fast enough.  Quick! quick!  Leave your donkey; he is tired; every one is so frightened he will not be stolen if he escapes.  Come in here,’ pushing open the carriage door.