'You did. You are a butcher; but you saved my lamb. That is why I am sorry to-day.'
'Save my lamb, then.'
'Have you one?'
'I have one that I love. She is Serapia's child. I loved her mother, and her mother is dead. Go and save her!'
'Where is she?'
'Up yonder,' he answered, with a backward gesture of his head to where, in the haze of the far distance, the snowy hills of his own lair lay. 'Any one will tell you on the hills. Ask for the Rocca del Giulio. They seized me; my men fought, but they killed them. She was with women; but they may have fled. Will you find her, and bring her up in your house?'
The face of the old woman grew weary and perplexed.
'It will be a burden, Mastarna.'
'Ay, it will. Do as you choose. But she is little and alone.'
The woman paused and mused.
'I will take her if I can find her,' she said at length.
Across the bold, sombre, fierce face of the fettered man a strong emotion swept.
