'Is he coming back this evening?'
'I think so, for he has a box here with his clothes, and other things. But for charity's sake, tell no one.'
'I?' Concetta laughed in a cold way, without a smile. 'I wish to warn him that the soldiers know he was in Randazzo yesterday, and are looking out for him.'
She told the man of the lieutenant's visit to her father's shop, and he listened attentively.
'I could wait for him in the road,' he said. 'He thought that the soldiers would not know him here, because they are all new men. But they have seen him in Randazzo and have sent word. They think that he has come on account of the Saracinesca, but he has followed the notary's daughter from Rome. They cannot touch him so long as he does no harm.'
'They may prevent him from doing it,' said Concetta, looking steadily at the man.
'That would be a pity,' he answered gravely. 'I will wait for him in the road.'
'But if he comes by the bridle-path over the hills, you will miss him.'
'I do not think he will do that, for it is a bad road, and he had my brother's best horse to ride.'
'Go and wait in the bridle-path,' said Concetta. 'I will wait in the road, towards Camaldoli.'