'Have I asked money of you, sir?'
'Oh, no!' answered Stradella readily. 'I only wished——'
She interrupted him, as if she were his equal.
'Even a servant may love something better than a bribe!' she said.
'I beg your pardon,' Stradella found himself saying, a good deal to his own surprise, for he had not expected to hurt a serving-woman's feelings by speaking of money. 'I misunderstood you.'
'You did indeed, sir!' answered Pina. 'All I ask of you is that you will take me with you in your flight, for the Senator will certainly have me murdered if I am left behind. Afterwards, if my lady does not want me, I will look for another place, or live by lace-making.'
Stradella did not like the answer. The Sicilian character has grave defects: it is revengeful, over-proud, violent, and sometimes cruel; but it is generally truthful, and it is, above all, direct.
'You talk lightly of leaving your mistress,' said the musician. 'It is not for love of her that you are ready to help us.'
Pina faced him fearlessly.
'You are right,' she answered. 'And yet she is the one living being I love at all. Affection is not the only motive one may have, sir.'