"Then do not stay behind. If you do you can not see me."
"But if I come again in two or three months? What then? Can I see you?"
"And you will apt refuse? No, no! You can not! How can I find you?"
"Alas! you will by that time forget all about me."
"Cruel Pepita! How can you say I will forget? Would I not die for you? How can I find you?"
"Padre Lignori, at the little church. The tall priest--the one who spoke to you."
"He is a good man. If he thinks you are honorable he will be your friend. He is a true friend to me."
"I will see him before I leave and tell him all."
"They come. I must go," said she, dropping her veil.
Dick caught her in his arms. She tore herself away with sobs.
Dick sank back in his chair, with his eyes fixed hungrily on the door.
"Hallo!" burst the Doctor's voice on his ears. "Who's that old girl? Hey? Why, Dick, how pale you are! You're worse. Hang it! you'll have a relapse if you don't look out. You must make a total change in your diet--more stimulating drink and generous food. However, the drive to Florence will set you all right again."
OCCUPATIONS AND PEREGRINATIONS OF BUTTONS.
If Buttons had spent little time in his room before he now spent less. He was exploring the ruins of Rome, the churches, the picture galleries, and the palaces under new auspices. He knew the name of every palace and church in the place. He acquired this knowledge by means of superhuman application to "Murray's Hand-book" on the evenings after leaving his companions. They were enthusiastic, particularly the ladies. They were perfectly familiar with all the Spanish painters and many of the Italian. Buttons felt himself far inferior to them in real familiarity with Art, but he made amends by brilliant criticisms of a transcendental nature.
It was certainly a pleasant occupation for youth, sprightliness, and beauty. To wander all day long through that central world from which forever emanate all that is fairest and most enticing in Art, Antiquity, and Religion; to have a soul open to the reception of all these influences, and to have all things glorified by Almighty love; in short, to be in love in Rome.
Rome is an inexhaustible store-house of attractions. For the lovers of gayety there are the drives of the Pincian Hill, or the Villa Borghese. For the student, ruins whose very dust is eloquent. For the artist, treasures beyond price. For the devotee, religion. How fortunate, thought Buttons, that in addition to all this there is, for the lovers of the beautiful, beauty!