"My mistress," answered Paula, proudly, as if to be her servant were more than enough distinction, and to mention her name were sovereign.
"Who commands?" he demanded, imperatively.
"Still my mistress."
"She said—Tell me that!"
"She said, 'Paula, if the boy disturbs us further, we must take measures.'"
"The Signorina?"
"Her mother."
"Not the Signorina, then!" And Luigi's gloomy face grew radiant.
"She and her mother are one," replied Paula.
Luigi was silent for a moment. One could see the shadows falling over him. Then he said, softly,—