"Yes," said Giulia; "you will be always welcome, whether your pockets are full or empty."
"I thank you both," the Englishman replied, "and I like and respect you too much not to take advantage now and then of your generous offer."
"Come as often as you like," I said; "you will always find a welcome, and that not merely on account of the profit."
"Yes," said Giulia; "that is true."
"I will come," the corporal answered, "but not very often; such a welcome is too good to be worn out." He lifted his kepi to Giulia, bowed, and went away.
He did not come very often without money, only now and then, as he had said, but, you see, he was very proud.
CHAPTER XIX
Soon afterwards some important changes took place in the battalion. We were ordered to prepare a draft of four hundred officers and men for the East, and in lieu of these we received a corresponding number of recruits and veterans sent home. The changes in the officers were many, for, in addition to those who went as a matter of course with the draft, others volunteered for foreign service and were accepted. As far as I was concerned, the officer most to be regretted was the adjutant. The man who went was always kind and had ever a pleasant word for Giulia and for me; the one who replaced him was destined to be our greatest enemy. We could not guess this at the time, and naturally thought that all things would go on as usual, but it was not long before we were cruelly undeceived.