turned my face towards the east. It was a mild evening as that on which
I had seen Virginia for the first time in the wood, her faggot on her
head. I seemed to see her now going bravely before me. So clearly did
she show, I quickened my steps to overtake her; and again my heart beat,
and again I thought of the nymphs and all the soft riot of the woodland
scents and sounds. Strange! how the slim figure of the peasant-girl
possessed me. I thought of her as I entered the grove of cypresses which
led to the villa, and if my heart was in high trouble as I asked for
Donna Aurelia, it was the surmise that I should again see Virginia
fluttering among the trees that set my blood a-tingling.

But she left me there, as I waited in the saloon open to the shadowed
garden; and I knew not whether I felt her the more certainly for her
absence than for her former persistent company.




CHAPTER XLIII

AGITATIONS AT THE VILLA SAN GIORGIO


The servant, an old one of Donna Giulia's, who knew me well by sight,
had grimaced pleasantly as he saluted. "Buon di, signoria," he had said,
and "Servitore del 'lustrissimo." The padrona, he felt sure, was in the
house, and the Excellency of the count was paying a visit. Let the
'lustrissimo accommodate himself, take repose, walk in the garden, do
his perfect pleasure. In two little moments the padrona should be
informed. With that he had gone away, leaving a volley of nods, winks