Me she hates worst of all because I refused to
live in her house when I was young. I had to run away at last with my
dog, or she would have murdered me, in spite of the cure. He sent me to
a woman he knew, who had been cook in this house. When I came she had
died, and the place was already sold. But I met the Captain and he
engaged me to be caretaker."
"He told me," Mary said, "that your name was Apollonia, and that you
were honest and good."
"He spoke to me of the Signorina, too," answered the young woman. "He
described her as very beautiful, like a saint or an angel, with kind,
sweet eyes, and hair like the sun in a mist. That is why, when I saw the
Signorina to-night, I knew she must be the right one. If it had been the
other lady who came first to the house, I should not have believed she
was the Captain's Signorina. It is very strange, but her eyes are the
eyes of my aunt who is the witch. I hope the Signorina will not be
offended with me for saying this of her friend, for I can not help
remarking it. My aunt is not old, though older than that Signora. And
she is handsome; but of course the Signora is much handsomer and grander
than a poor peasant woman."
"I think," said Mary, willing to change the subject, "that we had better
see our rooms, and have the fires lighted. Give my friends the best
there is--two rooms adjoining, and I will take what is left. We shall
stay with you a few days--perhaps more. We can't settle our plans quite
yet.
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