His deep-set eyes regarded me so intently that I coloured uncomfortably
under their gaze; for accustomed as I was to seclusion, I was easily
abashed. I turned away and went slowly along the gallery to the end; and
yet I had a feeling that those eyes were following me, and, indeed, casting
a swift glance over my shoulder ere I went indoors, I saw that this was so.

That evening at supper I chanced to mention the matter to Fra Gervasio.

"There was a big bearded capuchin in the yard at alms-time to-day--" I was
beginning, when the friar's knife clattered from his hand, and he looked at
me with eyes of positive fear out of a face from which the last drop of
blood had abruptly receded. I checked my inquiry at the sight of him thus
suddenly disordered, whilst my mother, who, as usual, observed nothing,
made a foolish comment.

"The little brothers are never absent, Agostino."

"This brother was a big brother," said I.

"It is not seemly to make jest of holy men," she reproved me in her
chilling voice.

"I had no thought to jest," I answered soberly. "I should never have
remarked this friar but that he gazed upon me with so great an intentness--
so great that I was unable to bear it."

It was her turn to betray emotion. She looked at me full and long--for
once--and very searchingly. She, too, had grown paler than was her habit.

"Agostino, what do you tell me?" quoth she, and her voice quivered.