he Correr Museum all the morning, and not lunched yet! So Miss
TROTTER's looking at ornamental metal-work? Rather fun that, eh?

_Culch._ For those who enjoy it. She has only been in there an hour,
so she is not likely to come back just yet. What do you say to coming
into S.S. Giovanni e Paolo again, with _me_? Those tombs form a really
remarkable illustration, as RUSKIN points out, of the gradual decay
of--

_Miss Trotter_ (_suddenly flutters up, followed by an attendant
carrying a studded halberd, an antique gondola-hook, and two copper
water-buckets--all of which are consigned to the disgusted CULCHARD_).
Just hold these a spell till I come back. Thanks ever so much....
Well, Mr. PODBURY! Aren't you going to admire my purchases? They're
real antique--or if they aren't, they'll wear all the better....
There, I believe I'll just have to run back a minute--don't you put
those things in the gondola yet, Mr. CULCHARD, or they'll get stolen.

[_She flutters off._

_Culch._ (_helplessly, as he holds the halberd, &c._). I suppose I
shall have to stay _here_ now. You're not going?

_Podb._ (_consulting his watch_). Must. Promised old BOB I'd relieve
guard in ten minutes. Ta-ta!

[_He goes; presently BOB PRENDERGAST lounges out of the
church._

_Culch._ If I could only make a friend of _him_! (_To BOB._) Ah,
PRENDERGAST! lovely afternoon, isn't it? Delicious breeze!

_Bob_. (_shortly_). Can't say. Not had much of it, at present.

_Culch._ You find these old churches rather oppressive, I daresay.
Er--will you have a cigarette? [_Tenders case._

_Bob_. Thanks; got a pipe. (_He lights it._) Where's Miss TROTTER?

_Culch._ She will be here presently. By the way, my dear PRENDERGAST,
this--er--misunderstanding between your sister and her is very
unfortunate.

_Bob_. I know that well enough. It's none of _my_ doing! And _you_'ve
no reason to complain, at all events!

_Culch._ Quite so. Only, you see, we _used_ to be good friends at
Constance, and--er--until recently--

_Bob_. Used we? Of course, if you say so, it's all right. But what are
you driving at exactly?

_Culch._ All I am driving at is this: Couldn't we two--er--agree to
effect a reconciliation between the two ladies? So much pleasanter
for--er--all parties!

_Bob_. I daresay. But how are you going to set about it? _I_ can't
begin.

_Culch._ Couldn't you induce your sister to lay aside
her--er--prejudice against me? Then _I_ could easily--