She rose from her chair impulsively, and walked to the edge of the terrace, leaning over the balustrade, the ladies behind her.
"'Tis sad to think there should be fighting on such a day as this," said one, handing Graziosa her fan. "God grant it may soon be peace!"
"God grant it!" repeated the painter's daughter fervently.
"They say the Veronese cannot hold out much longer," said another. "This very morn there was news. Bassano has fallen——"
Graziosa picked a cluster of roses and buried her face in them.
"How beautiful they are!" she said. "See, they have little hearts all gold, never showing till they die; a pretty fancy, is it not?" And she stroked them tenderly.
"Bassano has fallen?" she repeated idly.
"Yes, and 'tis said they cannot fail in getting Reggio."
"Then my lord's arms are everywhere victorious!" cried Graziosa with sparkling eyes.
"As ever, lady," was the answer.