the crisp fall breeze. Lucia and Lathrop stopped to look at it.
Lucia's eyes sparkled and she threw an impulsive kiss towards it.
Lathrop saluted respectfully.

As they turned to go back they noticed a crowd of soldiers and some of
the townspeople gathered about the gate.

"What can the matter be?" Lucia exclaimed, hurrying forward. "Perhaps
it is the King."

They ran to the gate and questioned some of the soldiers.

"More refugees returning," one of them explained. "See there's a whole
line of them, it is a good sight, and a good time that they have
chosen. Now we will not look so like a deserted place when the King
comes."

"Oh, perhaps some of them can give me news of Beppino," Lucia
exclaimed, forcing her way through the crowd.

Almost the first person she saw as she ran down the road was Maria's
mother. She was walking along beside several other women, and with a
start Lucia realized that she looked thin and wan.

"Aunt Rudini!" she called excitedly, "you are back at last. Oh, Maria
will be so glad!"

Señora Rudini looked up, fear and hope in her eyes.

"Maria!" she exclaimed, "where is she?"