"What is too good?" inquired Sybil, slightly displeased.
"Oh, that you should invite me to your house, and recommend me to your husband's good offices! One would think that you had had enough of taking up stray women and flinging them at your husband's head!" exclaimed the girl, with another paroxysm of laughter.
Sybil turned pale, and remained silent for a few moments; then she said very gravely:
"Your gay rebuke may be a just one. I will think twice before I repeat the folly."
"And now I have lost a friend by my jest. I am always losing friends by jests," said Gentiliska, sadly.
"No, indeed you have not, poor child," exclaimed our magnanimous Sybil. "I might think once, or twice, but I should never think long without offering you a home in my heart and in my house. You are no saint, poor girl; but that you are an honest woman, with your antecedents and your surroundings, is as much to your credit, I think, as sanctity is to the most holy."
And the lady arose and kissed the little gipsy.
"That was good," sighed Gentiliska; "that is the first time I have ever been kissed since my poor mother died."
They were interrupted by the apparition of Proserpine, who glided into the inner cavern.
"What do you want?" demanded Gentiliska.