the news. Every face wore a smile of keen
joy, and the nurses hurried about to be sure everything was in perfect
order.

Lucia was well enough now to go wherever she pleased, and after she had
talked for a few minutes with Captain Riccardi, and made sure that
Maria had not exaggerated, she went out of the convent with the
intention of going into town. Some of the refugees had returned, but
so far there had been no news of Senora Rudini, Nana, or Beppi, and she
was growing anxious.

As she walked down the broad steps, she saw Lathrop coming towards her.
Lucia was particularly fond of the big American, and she smiled as she
saw him.

"Hello!" he greeted.

Lucia returned the salutation.

"Do you know that the King is coming?" she demanded.

Lathrop understood the word King, and as the town was talking of
nothing else he guessed what she meant.

"Yes," he replied in Italian, "nice--glad--you."

Lucia laughed.

"Oh, but you are so funny. How I wish you could speak so that I could
understand you!" she said.

Lathrop shook his head. "There she goes again, I didn't get even one
word this time."

He put his hand in his pocket and drew out a letter.

"See," he said, pointing to it.

Lucia nodded. Lathrop scratched his head.

"You--in--letter," he said painstakingly, "Girl, American."

"Oh, you have put me in your letter? How nice!" Lucia said. "What did
you say?"

"I get you, but I'm blest if I can tell you, and it's a shame, too.
You're such a little winner, you and your Mrs. Garibaldi, that I'd like
to be able to tell you so. But I guess it's hopeless."

All of which Lucia listened to politely, but without the first idea of
its meaning.

She nodded towards the gate and they walked towards it together.
Lathrop mailed his letter, and they stopped to look at the ruins.
Lucia questioned some soldiers who were clearing the streets as best
they could.

The town hall, at the end of the market-place, was still standing, and
to-day it was draped in Italian flags. It looked older and more
dignified than ever, amid the ruins, and the flag floated bravely in
the crisp fall breeze. Lucia and Lathrop stopped to look at it.
Lucia's eyes sparkled and she threw an impulsive kiss towards it.
Lathrop saluted respectfully.

As they turned to go back they noticed a crowd of soldiers and some of
the townspeople gathered about the gate.

"What can the matter be?" Lucia exclaimed, hurrying forward. "Perhaps
i