"Well?" asked the young girl
"He was in a diabolical humour. He said I might take you away." Gianbattista smiled as he spoke, and looked into Lucia's eyes. She returned his gaze rather sadly, and only shook her head and shrugged her shoulders for a reply.
"If we took him at his word," suggested Gianbattista.
"Just so—it would be a fine affair!" exclaimed Lucia ironically.
"After all, he said so," argued the young man. "What does it matter whether he meant it?"
"Things are going badly for us," sighed his companion. "It was different a year ago. You must have done something to displease him, Tista. I wish I knew!" Her dark eyes suddenly assumed an angry expression, and she drew in her red lips.
"Wish you knew what?" inquired the apprentice, in a colder tone.
"Why he does not think about it as he used to. He never made any objections until lately. It was almost settled."
Gianbattista glanced significantly at Don Paolo, shrugged his shoulders, and went on drawing.
"What has that to do with it?" asked Lucia impatiently.