They could hear the noise in the streets outside, but they did not dare to disobey the Count and could only wait apprehensively, shuddering at the intermittent sound of gunfire.
“What is going on?” the Countess asked again and again.
When finally the Count appeared, she ran towards him with a cry, flinging her arms around him.
“You were so long and I was so afraid,” she exclaimed. “You are safe?”
“Quite safe,” the Count replied. “But the whole place is in confusion and panic.”
“What has happened?”
“As I expected,” he replied, “Bonaparte has landed his forces on the island.”
The Countess gave a scream.
“I understand five Battalions of Infantry landed at dawn in St. Julian’s Bay,” the Count went on. “They were opposed by gunfire from the Malta Regiment, who quickly retreated into Val
