Just as I was expecting my morning coffee, I heard a tap at the door, and cried "Come in." Giulia entered carrying a tray with coffee and rolls and butter. I took the tray from her and put it on the floor. There was no table, of course; in a bachelor sergeant's room nothing, indeed, but the camp-bed and a shelf or two for my equipments. Then I kissed her, and said:
"You spoke bravely this morning; I am glad of it I should like to say what you said, but they would punish me."
"Are you pleased?" she asked.
"Yes, carissima mia; and all the battalion will be pleased when they hear about it."
"I do not care about the battalion if you are content."
"Yes, yes, ma belle; I am very content. Is he not a rascal?"
"Oh," said Giulia, "I hate him; all the trouble comes from him; somebody must kill him or we shall never again have peace."
"Somebody will kill him," I answered; "you may rest assured of that."
"But not you, not you," she cried; "promise me, not you."