Page:In Maremma, by Ouida (vol 3).djvu/205

 There had of late been discoveries of tombs near Cere to the south, in which had been found vases of great worth, and quantities of armour, shields, crowns, toys, and ornaments of gold, all of which had been sold for large prices to foreign States for their museums. The steward readily believed the little lad's tale, which was confirmed by a buttero of his own, who said that when he had ridden near the blasted suber-oak one twilight time he had seen a maiden with a bronze amphora on her head going down for water at a spring that rose near there.

Musa knew him at a glance, and he knew her.

He came to her and spoke roughly.

'You wicked wench, you stole Joconda's mule away from me, I have not forgotten that. Ever since then I meant to track you when I had time, and at last I come upon you. You are an evil one!'

'It is you who are evil,' she said coldly. 'Joconda had paid her rent beforehand, on the first day of August, and you accused her falsely, and sold her goods out of despite, under pretext of a debt. You are a bad man. It is a pity that the prince your master does not know how bad you are.'