Lucia opened the door and found herself face to face with the King.

She was too astonished, and far too thrilled to speak.  She must have shown some of her feeling in her eyes, for the Captain, who was in bed, laughed.

“Here she is, Your Majesty,” he said.

The King stepped forward and put his hand on her shoulder.

“So you are the brave little girl whom I must thank for saving Captain Riccardi’s life, and for blowing up the bridge?”

Lucia was still tongue-tied.  She swallowed hard and tried to stop her heart from beating so fast.

“Yes, yes, sir—­Your Majesty,” she said at last.  “I and Garibaldi.”

“Garibaldi?” The King could not restrain a smile.

“The goat, sir,” the Captain explained.

“Oh, I see, and what did you say his name was?”

“Garibaldi’s a her, Your Majesty, and so she had to be Senora Garibaldi.”

Lucia was fast forgetting her embarrassment.

“‘The Illustrious and Gentile Senora Guiseppi Garibaldi,’ that’s her real name, but of course, it’s too long for every day.”

“Yes, I should suppose so, particularly if you were in a hurry,” the King laughed softly.

“Was that Senora Garibaldi that we came nearly running over?” he asked.

“Oh yes, it was, but please, Your Majesty, don’t be angry with her.  You see, she really didn’t know you were the King.”

“Angry, why I should say not.  Before I leave, yon must introduce me to her, I couldn’t leave without seeing such a really important person.”

Lucia clapped her hands delightedly.

“Oh, she will be so proud!” she exclaimed.

The King turned to the officer who stood beside him and nodded, then he shook Captain Riccardi’s hand.  “I congratulate you on the addition to your household,” he said, smiling.  “Come with me, Lucia,” he continued, “I have something for you, and I want to give it to you where all the soldiers can see.”

Lucia followed in a dream.  She stood very still at the end of the ward, and watched the men salute as the King stood before them.

She did not hear what he said to them, for her head was swimming, but she saw him turn to her, and her heart missed a beat as he pinned a medal on her faded bodice.

“In appreciation of your courage and loyalty,” the King said, and Lucia’s eyes looked into his for a brief, but never-to-be-forgotten moment.

CHAPTER XVII

GOOD-BY TO CELLINO

It was over a month before Captain Riccardi was well enough to be moved, but at last the beautiful day for the departure for the south came.

“Do you really mean we are going?” Beppi demanded.

“Of course we are, darling,” Lucia replied, laughing.  She was so excited that she could hardly wait to dress Beppi and Nana with the patience that such an undertaking required.  Nana had a new dress, Aunt Rudini made it with Maria’s help, and though it was too somber for Lucia’s color loving eyes, it was a new dress and she fastened it on Nana’s bent shoulders with a glow of pride.