"He is my guardian."
"That may be, but he shall not restore you to the convent against your will. You have not taken the vows of a nun?"
"No. I was placed in the convent to be educated merely."
"And you do not wish to return?"
"After enjoying freedom? Oh! no, no."
"Then you shall not return," said Paul, decisively.
"Still I must leave here. I cannot stay longer under this roof."
"True, but do not act hastily. Where are you going? What are your plans? Take a day for reflection. That brief delay will not make much difference. It is not likely that the cardinal will appear to-morrow, and if he should, what matters? For my own part I should very much like to come face to face with the man who proposes to immure you within the walls of a nunnery. He would not find me honey-tongued, though such a course may seem ungrateful after having so long enjoyed the shelter of his roof. Fear him not, signorina. Remain at least another day. Remember that to-morrow was fixed for our sail to Isola Sacra."
Barbara was persuaded by these words. One day, as Paul had said, would not make much difference.
"And I fainted at sight of a picture!" she said, with self-reproachful smile. "I, who have talked of shouldering a musket, and of fighting for Poland."