"'I always was,' answered she, 'but how could I without music?'
"'Non ho trovato l'instrumento,' said the robber, reappearing at the door.
"'What!' cried the captain in a voice of thunder; 'no instrument?'
"'Captain,' interposed his lieutenant, 'I searched every where, but could not find even the smallest violoncello.'
"'Bestia!' cried the captain.
"'Excellency,' I ventured to observe, 'it is not his fault. I had no bass with me.'
"'Very well,' said the captain, 'send off five men immediately to Sienna, Volterra, Grossetto—all over the country. I must have a bass by to-morrow night.'
"I could not help thinking I had seen Mademoiselle Rina's face somewhere before, and I was cudgeling my memory to remember where, when she addressed the captain.
"'Tonino,' said she, 'you have not even asked the poor man if he is hungry.'
"I was touched by this little attention, and, on the captain's invitation, I drew a chair to the table, in fear and trembling I acknowledge; but it was nearly twelve hours since I had eaten any thing, and my hunger was perfectly canine. Mademoiselle Rina herself had the kindness to pass me the dishes and fill my glass; so that I had abundant opportunities of admiring my own ring, which sparkled upon her finger. I began to perceive, however, that I should not be so badly off as I had expected, and that the captain was disposed to treat me well.