A Room with a View

versation was tedious; she wanted something big, and she believed that it would have come to her on the wind-swept platform of an electric tram. This she might not attempt. It

of tact and a spotless name, a lady could accomplish much. But if she rushed into the fray herself she wo

ll. But alas! the creature grows degenerate. In her heart also there are springing up strange desires. She too is enamoured of heavy winds, and vast panoramas, and green expanses of the sea. She has marked the kingdom of this world, how full it is of wealth, and beauty, and war-a radiant crust, built around the central fires, spinning toward

lt. Here and there a restriction annoyed her particularly, and she would transgress it, and perhaps be sorry that she had done so. This afternoon she was peculi

t of course signified the nude.) Giorgione's "Tempesta," the "Idolino," some of the Sistine frescoes and the Apoxyomenos, were added to it. She felt a little calmer then, and bought Fra Angelico'

her to be conscious of it. "The world," she thought, "is certainly full of beautiful things, if only I could come across them." It was

tial in the twilight, half god, half ghost, and his fountain plashed dreamily to the men and satyrs who idled together on its marge. The Loggia showed as the triple entrance of a cave, wherein many a deity, shadowy, but immortal, looking forth upon the a

old. It seemed no longer a tower, no longer supported by earth, but some unattainable treasure throbbing in the tranquil s

ething d

r, and one of them was hit lightly upon the chest. He frowned; he bent towards Lucy with a look of interest, as if he had an import

appened to be a few paces away, looking at her across the spot where the man had been. How very odd! Across something. Even as she caught s

"Oh, what h

ne?" she murmured,

anything. She had complained of dullness, and lo! o

cade. He must have carried her. He rose when she

at have

fai

m very

re you

utely well." And she

ome. There's no poi

t. The cries from the fountain-they had never ceased-rang empti

t have hurt myself falling. But now

was still

aphs!" she excl

photog

ped them out there in the square." She looked at him caut

ed his back, Lucy arose with the running of a ma

Honeyc

ith her hand

you aren't fit t

thank you so

. You'd go open

had r

t fetch your

ather be

ly dead; sit down till you are rested." She was bewilde

lining day, and joined itself to earth. How should she talk to Mr. Emerson when he returned from the shadowy square? Again the th

the incident that had made her faint five minutes before. Being strong physically, she soon overcame the horror of blood. She rose without his assis

f up to the police! Mr. Beebe was saying that Italians know everything, but I think the

something in

d you th

n't want," he

Eme

el

e the pho

as s

my photographs tha

were making conversation I was wondering what to do with them." He pointed down-stream. "They've gone." The river swirled under the bridge, "I did mind them so, and one is so foolish, it seemed better that they should go

d Lucy that she

repeated, "and I mean

Eme

ing, as if she had disturbe

you something b

embankment. He did likewise. There is at times a magic in identity of position; it is one of

haved ridi

owing his o

of myself in my life; I can

he said; but she felt tha

you a thousan

all r

illy people are gossiping-ladies especiall

raid I

mention it to any one

? Oh, yes, all

so much. An

ent, and even kind; he might even have a high opinion of her. But he lacked chivalry; his thoughts, like his behaviour, would not be modified by awe. It was useless to say to him, "And would you-" and hope that he would complete the sentence for himself, averting his eyes from her nakedness like the knight in that beautiful pictu

, "How quickly these accidents do happe

don

ed her to q

ling: "I shall prob

Emerson? Wha

ant to liv

emplated the River Arno, whose roar was sug