But at the very moment when he had made this desperate resolve he saw some one coming. A sharp thrill went through his heart.
It was SHE! She looked at him and glanced modestly away. Dick at once walked up to her.
"Signorina," said he, not thinking what a serious thing it was to address an Italian maiden in the streets. But this one did not resent it. She looked up and smiled. "What a smile!" thought Dick.
"Signorina," he said again, and then stopped, not knowing what to say. His voice was very tremulous, and the expression of his face tender and beseeching. His eyes told all.
"Signore," said the girl, with a sweet smile. The smile encouraged Dick.
"Ehem--I have lost my way. I--I--could you tell me how I could get to Piazza del Popolo? I think I might find my way home from there."
The girl's eyes beamed with a mischievous light.
"Oh yes, most easily. You go down that street; when you pass four side-streets you turn; to the left--the left--remember, and then you keep on till you come to a large church with a fountain before it, then you turn round that, and you see the obelisk of the Piazza del Popolo."
Her voice was the sweetest that Dick had ever heard. He listened as he would listen to music, and did not hear a single word that he comprehended.
"Pardon me," said he, "but would you please to tell me again. I can not remember all. Three streets?"
"I'm a stranger here, and am afraid that I can not find my way. I left my map at home. If I could find some one who would go with me and show me."
He looked earnestly at her, but she modestly made a movement to go.
"Could you--a--a--would you be willing--to--to--walk a little part of the way with me, and--show me a very little part of the way--only a very little?"
The girl seemed half to consent, but modestly hesitated, and a faint flush stole over her face.
The girl softly assented and walked on with him.
"I am very much obliged to you for your kindness," said Dick. "It's very hard for a stranger to find his way in Rome."
"But, Signore, by this time you ought to know the whole of our city."
"Why, you have been here three weeks at least."
"How do you know?" and the young man blushed to his eyes. He had been telling lies, and she knew it all the time.