"Oh, Antonio! I had dreams!"
Antonio understood the anguish in that cry, and tried to lull her sorrow for the time being, administering as to a sick person an innocuous soothing mixture.
"Listen," he said, "it's just that you're a bit homesick. You'll find that in a little time you'll get used to it all. I admit our life is rather cramped, but do you suppose the rich people are happy?"
"It's not riches I want!"
"What is it then? I'm not vulgar, am I? or stupid? After all, it's with me you've got to live. Be reasonable. You shall make your own surroundings just as you like them. Meantime, to cure you of your homesickness you can go home to your own country whenever you like."
The soothing mixture produced the desired effect. Regina raised a radiant face.
"In the spring?" she cried impetuously, "in the spring?"
"Whenever you wish. And you'll see that in course of time——"
But the course of time only augmented Regina's trouble.