"By no means," I answered; "anymore than I would let anybody in."
"Then we must make the best of it," said she. "But I will bring a chair and sit down, while you tell me the news."
"Will you assume all responsibility toward Nino, signorina, if I turn so that I can see you?" I asked, as she sat down.
"I will say that I positively ordered you to do so," she answered, gaily. "Now look, and tell me where Signor Cardegna is gone."
I looked indeed, and it was long before I looked away. The rest, the freedom, and the happiness had done their work quickly, in spite of all the dreadful anxiety and fatigue. The fresh, transparent colour was in her cheeks, and her blue eyes were clear and bright. The statue had been through the fire, and was made a living thing, beautiful, and breathing, and real.
"Tell me," she said, the light dancing in her eyes, "where is he gone?"
"He is gone to find the mayor of this imposing capital," I replied. Hedwig suddenly blushed, and turned her glistening eyes away. She was beautiful so.
"Are you very tired, signorina? I ought not to ask the question, for you look as though you had never been tired in your life."
There is no saying what foolish speeches I might have made had not Nino returned. He was radiant, and I anticipated that he must have succeeded in his errand.
"Ha! Messer Cornelio, is this the way you keep watch?" he cried.