osseum with Madam
Dormandy, under the guidance of an abbot, whom they had secured as
cicerone; and, while the reverend father entertained the young widow
with a historical lecture, the princess seated herself at the foot of
the cross that stands in the middle of the arena, and sought to sketch
the view before her. But her success was poor; she was conscious of
failure with every fresh attempt. Three times she began, and as often
was forced to discard her work and start over again. The Colosseum will
not suffer its likeness to be taken by every one; it is a favour that
must be fought for.

High up on the dizzy height of the third gallery sat a wee speck of a
man with an easel before him. Even through an opera-glass the painter
looked like an ant on a house-top. He wore a broad-brimmed straw hat,
and behind him a large umbrella was opened against the fierce rays of
the Italian sun. Thus protected, he sat there busily at work. Blanka
envied him: he had mastered the mighty Colosseum and caught its
likeness. How had he set about it? Why, naturally enough, he had climbed
the giddy height and conquered the giant from above. She resolved to
come again, early the next morning, and follow his example. With that
she tore the spoiled leaves impatiently from her sketch-book, and threw
them down among the thistles that sprang up everywhere between the
stones of the ruin. It was getting late, and she was forced to return to
her hotel and dress for the theatre.

The way back led past the Cagliari palace, and Blanka noted with
surprise that its iron shutters were open and the first story
brilliantly lighted. The gate, too, was thrown back, giving a view of
the courtyard, which wore rather the aspect of a garden. Who could have
wrought this sudden transformation in the deserted old mansion?

A still greater surprise awaited the princess when she reached her
hotel. The proprietor himself came down the steps to open her carriage
door, assist her to alight, and escort her to her rooms.

"Thank you, sir, but pray don't trouble yourself," began Blanka. "I can
find my way very well alone."

The innkeeper persisted, however, although the double doors to which he
led her, and which he threw open before her, were not those of her own
apartment. The ladies found themselves in a sumptuously furnished
anteroom, from which, through a half-opened door, they looked into a
spacious drawing-room yet more luxuriously fitted up, with oil paintings
on