“Then you bring these flowers from Lochias?”
“She went out, and she could not get back home again, she is now lying in the house of a stranger.”
“Where?”
“That must be quite indifferent to you—”
“By no means, quite the contrary. I beg you to tell me the whole truth.”
“Eternal gods! what can you care about the poor sick creature?”
“Nothing whatever; but I must know whither you are riding.”
“Down by the sea. I do not know the house, but the donkey driver—”
“Is it far from here?”
“About half an hour yet,” said the lad.