Page:The Saint (1906, G. P. Putnam's Sons).djvu/169

Rh nearer, and to speak softly. What was the matter? The matter was that Jeanne wished to start for Santa Scolastica at once. Noemi explained that she had only just awakened, and that at once meant an hour and a half at least. But they must send to Subiaco for a carriage, for Jeanne was in no condition to walk more than was absolutely necessary more than the last part of the way. A ring of the bell called Noemi away. Jeanne was waiting for her with impatience.

"What a chatterbox of a maid!" she said, half jestingly and half irritably. "What have you been telling your sister?"

Noemi threatened to leave her. Jeanne clasped her hands in supplication, and asked, looking her straight in the eyes, as though to read her soul:

"How shall I arrange my hair? How shall I dress?"

Noemi answered thoughtlessly:

"Why, just as you please."

Jeanne stamped her foot angrily. Noemi understood.

"As a peasant girl," said she.

"You silly creature!"

Noemi laughed.

Jeanne sighed out the usual reproach:

"You do not love me! You do not love me!"

Then Noemi became serious, and asked her if she really wished to entice him back again—her precious Maironi?

"I want to be beautiful!" Jeanne exclaimed.