But I think they will not, because there is the devil in the house to-day, and the Signorina looks as though she would eat us all, and that is a bad sign." "What has happened ?" asked Bastianello.

"You can tell me, because I will tell nobody." "The truth is this," answered Teresina, lowering her voice.

"They have betrothed her to the Count, and she does not like it.

But if you say anything--." She laughed a little and shook her finger at him.
Bastianello threw his head back to signify that he would not repeat what he had heard.

Then he gazed into Teresina's eyes for a moment.
"The Count is worse than an animal," he said quietly.
"If you knew how true that is!" exclaimed Teresina, blushing deeply and turning away.