How strange that it should have happened just now! It's a score that _your_ Italy must settle--_mine_ washes her hands of it!' and he explained that what she had heard were the cries of a poor hysterical woman, a small farmer's wife, who had lost both her sons in the Abyssinian war, in the frightful retreat of Adowa, and had never been in her right mind since the news arrived.

With the smallest lapse in the vigilance of those about her, she would rush down to the road, and throw herself upon any passer-by, imploring them to intercede for her with the Government--that they should give her back her sons--Nino, at least!--Nino, her youngest, and darling.
It was impossible that they should both be dead--impossible! The Holy Virgin would never have suffered it.
'Poor soul!--she tried to cling round my knees--wailing out the candles and prayers she had offered--shrieking something about the "Governo." I helped the sons to carry her in.

They were quite gentle to her.' Lucy turned away her head; and they resumed their march.

She governed herself with all her power; but her normal self-control was weakened, and that cry of anguish still haunted her.

Some quiet tears fell--she hoped, she believed that they were unseen.
But Manisty perceived them.