felt hat and came
forwards, crossing the street. His look was fixed on her face with a
stare of curiosity as he stood before her.

"I hope you have not caught cold, Signora," he said, with steady,
unwinking eyes. "We passed a beautiful storm. Signora, I sell wine to
that host. If you should need wine, I recommend him to you." He pointed
to the shop.

"You told me to ask for you at the Piazza Montanara," said Gloria,
smiling.

"With that water you could not see the shop," answered Stefanone.
"Signora, you are very beautiful. With permission, I say that you should
not walk alone at night."

"It was the first and last time," said Gloria. "Fortunately, I met a
person of good manners. I thank you again."

"Signora, you are so beautiful that the Madonna and her angels always
accompany you. With permission, I go. Good day."

To the last, until he turned, he kept his eyes steadily fixed on
Gloria's face, as though searching for a resemblance in her features.
She noticed his manner and remembered him very distinctly after the
second meeting.

The cobbler came back again, closely followed by Griggs himself, who
said nothing, but took possession of the small valise and bag which
Gloria had brought in addition to her box. He led the way, and she
followed him swiftly. Inside the door of his lodging he turned and
looked at her.

"Please do not go away suddenly without telling me," he said in a low
voice. "I am easily frightened about you."

"Really?"

Gloria held out her two hands to meet him. He nodded as he took them.

"That is better than anything you have ever said to me." She drew him to
her.

It was natural, for she was thinking how Reanda had calmly gone back to
his work that morning, without so much as asking for her. The contrast
was too great and too strong, between love and indifference.

They went into the work-room together, and Gloria sat down on one of the
rush chairs, and told Griggs what she had done. He walked slowly up and
down while she was speaking, his eyes on the pattern of the old carpet.

"I might have stayed," she said at last. "The servants did not even know
that I had been out of the house."

"You should have stayed," said Griggs. "I ought to say it, at least."

But as he spoke the mask softened and the rare smile beautified for one
instant the still, stern face.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

REANDA neither wished to see Gloria again, nor to take vengeance upon
Paul Griggs. He was not