Lucia Rudini Part 18

"Oh, the wretch," Lucia exclaimed, darting forward. "Come here at once!" she called.

Garibaldi looked around and obediently trotted off. The car started, and the King waved especially to Lucia as he pa.s.sed, but even so great an honor could not compensate her. She was mortified to tears that her goat should have been guilty of _lese majeste_.

No entreaties on Beppi's part could make her stay to wait for the King's return. She left him with a soldier, and went around the corner of the convent, followed by the disgraced Garibaldi.

She sat down on a bench and sighed.

"Of course you're only a goat," she said scornfully, "but I did think you had more sense than to do anything as terrible as that. Do you know who that was that you made to stop? That was the King, do you hear?"

Garibaldi walked away indifferently.

"Oh, I am disgusted with you forever," Lucia exclaimed with a shrug of disdain. "You will stay here until he goes away again, and then I shall take you home and tie you up."

Garibaldi paid no attention to the threat. Perhaps she knew how empty it would prove to be.

"Lucia, Lucia, my child, where are you?" Sister Francesca's voice trembled as she called.

"Here I am, sister," Lucia jumped up. "Do you want me?"

"Oh, my dear, I have looked everywhere for you. Come with me at once."

Lucia followed, wondering at the expression in the nun's usually placid face. But Sister Francesca did not stop to give any explanations. She led the way hurriedly back to the front door, of the convent, and up the steps through the ward of smiling men, and only stopped when she reached the door of Captain Riccardi's private room.

"Go in, my dear," she said, giving Lucia a little push. "The Captain wants to speak to you."

Lucia opened the door and found herself face to face with the King.

She was too astonished, and far too thrilled to speak. She must have shown some of her feeling in her eyes, for the Captain, who was in bed, laughed.

"Here she is, Your Majesty," he said.

The King stepped forward and put his hand on her shoulder.

"So you are the brave little girl whom I must thank for saving Captain Riccardi's life, and for blowing up the bridge?"

Lucia was still tongue-tied. She swallowed hard and tried to stop her heart from beating so fast.

"Yes, yes, sir--Your Majesty," she said at last. "I and Garibaldi."

"Garibaldi?" The King could not restrain a smile.

"The goat, sir," the Captain explained.

"Oh, I see, and what did you say his name was?"

"Garibaldi's a her, Your Majesty, and so she had to be Senora Garibaldi."

Lucia was fast forgetting her embarra.s.sment.

"'The Ill.u.s.trious and Gentile Senora Guiseppi Garibaldi,' that's her real name, but of course, it's too long for every day."

"Yes, I should suppose so, particularly if you were in a hurry," the King laughed softly.

"Was that Senora Garibaldi that we came nearly running over?" he asked.

"Oh yes, it was, but please, Your Majesty, don't be angry with her.

You see, she really didn't know you were the King."

"Angry, why I should say not. Before I leave, yon must introduce me to her, I couldn't leave without seeing such a really important person."

Lucia clapped her hands delightedly.

"Oh, she will be so proud!" she exclaimed.

The King turned to the officer who stood beside him and nodded, then he shook Captain Riccardi's hand. "I congratulate you on the addition to your household," he said, smiling. "Come with me, Lucia," he continued, "I have something for you, and I want to give it to you where all the soldiers can see."

Lucia followed in a dream. She stood very still at the end of the ward, and watched the men salute as the King stood before them.

She did not hear what he said to them, for her head was swimming, but she saw him turn to her, and her heart missed a beat as he pinned a medal on her faded bodice.

"In appreciation of your courage and loyalty," the King said, and Lucia's eyes looked into his for a brief, but never-to-be-forgotten moment.

CHAPTER XVII

GOOD-BY TO CELLINO

It was over a month before Captain Riccardi was well enough to be moved, but at last the beautiful day for the departure for the south came.

"Do you really mean we are going?" Beppi demanded.

"Of course we are, darling," Lucia replied, laughing. She was so excited that she could hardly wait to dress Beppi and Nana with the patience that such an undertaking required. Nana had a new dress, Aunt Rudini made it with Maria's help, and though it was too somber for Lucia's color loving eyes, it was a new dress and she fastened it on Nana's bent shoulders with a glow of pride.

"There now!" she exclaimed when it was on and Nana's stringy gray hair had been reduced to some sort of order.

"Turn around and let me see you."

Nana turned. She was in a flutter of excitement, although she would not have admitted it for the world.

"Don't waste any more time over an old woman," she said, sharply. "I am tidy and that is enough."

"You are more than tidy, Nana, you look beautiful," Lucia exclaimed.

"Now do sit still and don't do anything."

"There's nothing to be done that has not already been done," Nana replied as she sat on the edge of the green bed and folded her hands on her lap. Lucia nodded in satisfaction and turned her attention to Beppi.

He had a new suit too, and the broad sailor collar on it was embroidered with emblems and stars.