Moreover, the company that came was small to judge by the sound--a half-dozen horses at the most.
But Ramiro's attention had been diverted from me by the noise.
Half-turning in his chair, he called to one of the men-at-arms to ascertain who came.

Before the fellow could do his bidding, the door was thrust open and Lucagnolo appeared on the threshold, jaded and worn with hard riding.
A certain excitement arose in me at sight of him, despite my confidence that he must be returning empty-handed.
Ramiro rose, pushed back his chair and advanced towards the new-comer.
"Well ?" he demanded.

"What news ?" "Excellency, the girl is here." That answer seemed to turn me into stone, so great was the shock of this sudden shattering of the confidence that had sustained me.
"My search in the country failing," pursued the captain, as he came forward, "I made bold to exceed your orders by pushing my inquiries as far as the village of Cattolica.

There I found her after some little labour." Surely I dreamt.

Surely, I told myself, this was not possible.