He went away with a little nod and smile, banging the door after him to let the neighbours hear that Signora Bolla's visitor was gone.
Gemma went out into the kitchen to say good-night to Katie, and came back with black coffee on a tray.
“Would you like to lie down a bit?” she said. “You won't have any sleep the rest of the night.”
“Oh, dear no! I shall sleep at San Lorenzo while the men are getting my disguise ready.”
“Then have some coffee. Wait a minute; I will get you out the biscuits.”
As she knelt down at the side-board he suddenly stooped over her shoulder.
“Whatever have you got there? Chocolate creams and English toffee! Why, this is l-luxury for a king!”
She looked up, smiling faintly at his enthusiastic tone.
“Are you fond of sweets? I always keep them for Cesare; he is a perfect baby over any kind of lollipops.”
“R-r-really? Well, you must get him s-some more to-morrow and give me these to take with me. No, let me p-p-put the toffee in my pocket; it will console me for all the lost joys of life. I d-do hope they'll give me a bit of toffee to suck the day I'm hanged.”