She gathered up the forces of the soul.
'So help me God!' she said. And then she started, perceiving into what formula she had slipped, unwittingly.
* * * * *
She moved on a few paces down the road, meaning just to peep into the woods and their scented loneliness. The night was so lovely she was loth to leave it.
Suddenly she became aware of a point of light in front, and the smell of tobacco.
A man rose from the wayside. Lucy stayed her foot, and was about to retreat swiftly when she heard a cheerful—
'Buona sera, Signorina!' She recognised a voice of the afternoon. It was the handsome carabiniere. Lucy advanced with alacrity.
'I came out because it was so fine,' she said. 'Are you on duty still?
Where is your companion?'
He smiled, and pointed to the wood. 'We have a hut there. First Ruggieri sleeps—then I sleep. We don't often come this way; but when there are forestieri, then we must look out.'
'But there are no brigands here?'