"Where is my bed?" said the afflicted Ellena, fearfully as she looked round.
"It is there—on the floor," replied Spalatro, pointing to a miserable mattress, over which hung the tattered curtains of what had once been a canopy. "If you want the lamp," he added, "I will leave it, and come for it in a minute or two."
"Will you not let me have a lamp for the night?" she said in a supplicating and timid voice.
"For the night!" said the man gruffly; "What! to set fire to the house?"
Ellena still entreated that he would allow her the comfort of a light.
"Ay, ay," replied Spalatro, with a look she could not comprehend, "it would be a great comfort to you, truly! You do not know what you ask."
"What is it that you mean?" said Ellena, eagerly; "I conjure you, in the name of our holy church, to tell me!"
Spalatro stepped suddenly back, and looked upon her with surprise, but without speaking.
"Have mercy on me!" said Ellena, greatly alarmed by his manner; "I am friendless, and without help!"
"What do you fear?" said the man, recovering himself; and then, without waiting her reply, added—"Is it such an unmerciful deed to take away a lamp?"