What have you done with the dog, my dear?"
"I couldn't get him past the pork butcher's, three streets off,"
replied La Biondella. "He would sit down and look at the
sausages. I am more than half afraid he means to steal some of
them."
"A very pretty child," said the steward, patting La Biondella on
the cheek. "We ought to have her at the hall. If his excellency
should want a Cupid, or a youthful nymph, or anything small and
light in that way, I shall come back and let you know. In the
meantime, Nanina, consider yourself Shepherdess Number Thirty,
and come to the housekeeper's room at the palace to try on your
dress to-morrow. Nonsense! don't talk to me about being afraid
and awkward. All you're wanted to do is to look pretty; and your
glass must have told you you could do that long ago. Remember the
rent of the room, my dear, and don't stand in your light and your
sister's. Does the little girl like sweetmeats? Of course she
does! Well, I promise you a whole box of sugar-plums to take home
for her, if you will come and wait at the ball."
"Oh, go to the ball, Nanina; go to the ball!" cried La Biondella,
clapping her hands.
"Of course she will go to the ball," said the nurse. "She would
be mad to throw away such an excellent chance."
Nanina looked perplexed. She hesitated a little, then drew Marta
Angrisani away into a corner, and whispered this question to her:
"Do you think there will be any priests at the palace where the
marquis lives?"
"Heavens, child, what a thing to ask!" returned the nurse.
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