He told me--" Gianluca leaned back suddenly in his seat, overcome with a sort of shame at the thought that Taquisara had spoken to her for him, and that he himself could find nothing to say.

His face pale and red, and his hands trembled.
"I like your friend," said Veronica, quietly, wondering whether he felt ill.
"Yes--I am glad," answered Gianluca.

"He is a true friend, a good friend.

If you knew him as well as I do, you would like him still better." Veronica thought this probable, but refrained from saying so, and remained silent.

Bianca was touching gentle chords at the piano.