The Wheat Princess

uffered their approach to remain unheralded. Paul Dessart, since his talk with Marcia, had taken a little dip into the future, with the result that he

l, and during the pause that followed stood upon the door-step, dubiously scanning the neighbourhood. It was one of the narrow, tortuous streets between the Corso and the river; a street of many colours and many smells, with party-coloured washings fluttering from the windows, with pretty tumble-haired

h a polite 'Permesso, signore,' as he darted up the stairs ahead of them to point the way and open the door at the top. They arrived at the end of the five flights somewhat short of breath, and were ushered into a swept and garnished workroom, where Paul, in a white blouse, his sleeves r

eproachably workmanlike, and had been so for a week. Vi

improved,' she

ive years older than

of relief, 'I actual

comment, as she returned from an inspection of the room to a reinspection o

f puffed velveteen

I met you in the Luxembourg gardens in broad daylight wearing puffed blue velvete

ad!' he pleaded. 'I go to an E

eased with you, but she didn't tell us how goo

he repudiated the charge

ued Margaret. 'You'd better think so,' she

ifferently that Miss Copley appeared very n

s aunt, 'that you

to be impolite to people,' and he took the Baedeker from her hand and

and half an hour later, Paul and Margaret in one carriage, with Mrs. Royston and Eleanor in a second, were trot

duty was not unrewarded; the dim crypts and chapels, the deep-embrasured windows of galleries and palaces afforded many chances for stolen scraps of conversation. And Paul was not one to waste his opportunities. The spring was ideal; Rome was flooded with sunshine and flowers and the Italian joy of being alive. The troubles

down-with a bleeding nose and a broken front tooth. He could not claim this time that Marietta had pushed him over, as it was clearly proven that Marietta, at the moment, was sitting in the scullery doorway, smiling at Fran?ois. In consequence Marietta recei

ealth or beauty, decided that Gerald must go to the dentist's. Gerald demurred, and Marcia, who had previously had no thought of going into Rome that afternoon, offered to accompany the party, for the sake-she said-of keeping up his courage in the train. As they were preparing to start, s

o see her. It developed, however, that they had an unbreakable engagement for th

a permesso for the royal palace and stables, and being interested in the domestic arrangements of kings, she was insistent that they visit the Quirinal. But Mrs. Royston, who was conscientiously bent on first exhaust

himself in one carriage and Marcia in the other. At the monastery the monks were saying office in the main chapel when they arrived, and they paused a few minutes to listen to the deep rise and fall of the Gregorian chant as it echoed through the long, bare nave. The dim interior, the low, monoto

book in hand, commenced her usual conscientious inspection, while Eleanor and the young Frenchman strolled about, commenting on the architecture. Margaret had heard that one of the mosaic popes in the frieze had diamon

the flagging, where the shadow of the columns alternated with gleaming bars of sunshine. The sleepy, old-world atmosphere cast its spell about them; Marcia's tantalizing humour and Paul's impatience fell away. They walked on in silence, until presently the silence made itself awkwar

. Since that is the case, why not let the majority mine their coal and build their railroads, and the very small minority who do care stay and appreciate it? It is fortunate that we don't all like the same things, fo

e cloisters, and paused by one of the p

g one's duty not to liv

led vaguely. 'I think-perh

id in a low tone, 'that would mak

at he was going to say, and for a moment she h

silence, and then he looked up in her face an

re was still time; she was still mistress of the situation. By a laugh, an adroit turn, she could overlook his words; could bring their relations back again to their normal

'I suppose you want to marry a

he inquired.

t on your carriage door, with all the servants bowing and

'Do you happen to know of any

aren'

quite charming. His family is seven hundred years

, and the prince stupid.' He dropped his hand over hers where it rested on the

Paul, I don't know-and there's nothing I hate so much in the world

uddenly sounded across the little court. 'Oh, there are Marcia

and leaned back against the pillar. 'I told you,' he added, with

ey started on, Mrs. Royston suggested that they stop a second time at the English cemetery just within the gate. Marcia, looking at her watch, saw with a feeling of relief that she would have to go straight on i

at the hotel, 'I don't want you to come with me; I shouldn't think of taking you away. My aunt will be

oot on the c

trouble,'

I shall really be angry if you c

ged and removed his

gs. The driver looked back expectantly, waiting for his directions. Paul hesitated a moment,

away withou

ther man?' he

in his face. 'No,' she shook h

h. 'Then I'll win,' he whispered, and

carriage started, Marcia glanced back and nodded