But Luigi raised his head proudly. As for Teresa, her eyes sparkled when she thought of all the fine dresses and beautiful jewelry she could buy with this purse of gold.
Cucumetto was cunning and perceptive, and this look from Teresa showed him that she was susceptible to temptation. He returned to the forest, pausing several times along the way, supposedly to salute his protectors.
Several days passed, and they neither saw nor heard of Cucumetto.
The carnival season was approaching. The Count of San-Felice announced a grand masked ball, to which all the distinguished people in Rome were invited. Teresa desperately wanted to see this ball. Luigi asked his patron, the steward, for permission that she and he might attend among the household servants. Permission was granted.
