you had more sense than to do anything as terrible as that. Do you
know who that was that you made to stop? That was the King, do you
hear?"

Garibaldi walked away indifferently.

"Oh, I am disgusted with you forever," Lucia exclaimed with a shrug of
disdain. "You will stay here until he goes away again, and then I
shall take you home and tie you up."

Garibaldi paid no attention to the threat. Perhaps she knew how empty
it would prove to be.

"Lucia, Lucia, my child, where are you?" Sister Francesca's voice
trembled as she called.

"Here I am, sister," Lucia jumped up. "Do you want me?"

"Oh, my dear, I have looked everywhere for you. Come with me at once."

Lucia followed, wondering at the expression in the nun's usually placid
face. But Sister Francesca did not stop to give any explanations. She
led the way hurriedly back to the front door, of the convent, and up
the steps through the ward of smiling men, and only stopped when she
reached the door of Captain Riccardi's private room.

"Go in, my dear," she said, giving Lucia a little push. "The Captain
wants to speak to you."

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