He had taken the wrong turn from the main road below; unaccustomed to the dialect of the hills, he had misunderstood the peasant who had told him especially not to take the bridle-path if he wished to avoid Saracinesca.

He stopped, hesitated, and then, pulling his cowl over his face, walked steadily on.

Giovanni glanced up and saw that Gouache was slowly descending the road, still absorbed in contemplating the landscape.
"Let him take his chance," muttered Saracinesca.

"What should I care ?" "No--no! Save him, Giovanni,--he looks so miserable," cried Corona, with ready sympathy.

She was pale with excitement.
Giovanni looked at her one moment and hesitated, but her pleading eyes were not to be refused.
"Then gallop back, darling.