But I cannot promise not to answer, when you have done.' 'There is no answer to what I am going to say.

It is to be final.' 'We shall see,' said Giovanni gravely, though with no conviction.
But the nun was satisfied, for he was clearly willing to listen.

The meeting had disturbed her peace even more than she had expected, but she had done her best during several days to prepare herself for it, and had found strength to decide what she must say, and to repeat it over and over again till she knew it by heart.
'You were reported to be dead,' she began--'killed with the rest of them.

You had your share in the great military funeral, and I, and all the world, believed that you were buried with your comrades.

Your name is engraved with theirs upon their tomb, in the roll of honour, as that of a man who perished in his country's service.