"My purse—really!" she exclaimed, advancing a little, somewhat anxiously.
"Here it is, miss."
And drawing the precious object from his pocket he gave it to Miss Lilian Temple. The beautiful eyes glanced with sweetness, and the mouth, so perfect, smiled; the little hand clasped the recovered object, as if to caress it.
"Thank you, sir," she added.
Then she stretched out the little hand that was free, gloved in white. He took it lightly and kept it but for a moment in his own, then he released it with a deep bow.
Miss May Ford, silent, indifferent, strange, waited. Now all three were silent, while for a long time Lucio Sabini fixed his eyes on the enchanting face for which the blond hair made a soft aureole. At last he said, with a courteous smile:
"Did not Miss Temple promise a reward to whomsoever brought back her purse?"
The girl, marvelling a little, raised her eyebrows, questioning the Italian gentleman without speaking.
"Lucio Sabini asks her, as reward, to be allowed to accompany her now as far as the 'Kulm.'"