"Oh, then you really did take the ring to Saint Agnes?" "To be sure I did," said Agnes. "Simple child!" said Giulietta, laughing; "that wasn't what he meant you to do with it. He meant it for you,--only your grandmother was by. You never will have any lovers, if she keeps you so tight." "I can do without," said Agnes. "I could tell you something about this one," said Giulietta. "You did tell me something yesterday," said Agnes. "But I could tell you some more. I know he wants to see you again." "What for?" said Agnes. "Simpleton, he's in love with you. You never had a lover;--it's time you had." "I don't want one, Giulietta. I hope I never shall see him again." "Oh, nonsense, Agnes! Why, what a girl you are! Why, before I was as old as you I had half-a-dozen lovers." "Agnes," said the sharp voice of Elsie, coming up from behind, "don't run on ahead of me again;--and you, Mistress Baggage, let my child alone." "Who's touching your child?" said Giulietta, scornfully. "Can't a body say a civil word to her?" "I know what you would be after," said Elsie,--"filling her head with talk of all the wild, loose gallants; but she is for no such market, I promise you! Come, Agnes." So saying, old Elsie drew Agnes rapidly along with her, leaving Giulietta rolling her great black eyes after them with an air of infinite contempt. "The old kite!" she said; "I declare he shall get speech of the little dove, if only to spite her. Let her try her best, and see if we don't get round her before she knows it. Pietro says his master is certainly wild after her, and I have promised to help him." Meanwhile, just as old Elsie and Agnes were turning into the orange-orchard which led into the Gorge of Sorrento, they met the cavalier of the evening before. He stopped, and, removing his cap, saluted them with as much deference as if they had been princesses. Old Elsie frowned, and Agnes blushed deeply;--both hurried forward. Looking back, the old woman saw that he was walking slowly behind them, evidently watching them closely, yet not in a way sufficiently obtrusive to warrant an open rebuff. CHAPTER VIII. THE CAVALIER.