It was Hedwig's little bundle.
"What have you here ?" he asked.

"Oh, Hedwig, you said you would not come ?" he added, half laughing, as he discovered what it was.
"I was not sure that I should like you, Nino," she said, as he again put his arm about her.

Hedwig started violently.

"What is that ?" she exclaimed, in a terrified whisper.
"What, love ?" "The noise! Oh, Nino, there is someone on the staircase, coming down.
Quick,--quick! Save me, for love's sake!" But Nino had heard, too, the clumsy but rapid groping of heavy feet on the stairs above, far up in the winding stone steps, but momentarily coming nearer.

Instantly he pushed Hedwig out to the street, tossing the bundle on the ground, withdrew the heavy key, shut the door, and double turned the lock from the outside, removing the key again at once.