towards the church, quite
sure that the cab would stop at the door of the hospital, and anxious to
be within sight of it. Everything had turned out well, even beyond her
expectations. The cab passed her at a brisk pace before she reached the
top of the hill, and though she walked as fast as she could, it was no
longer there when she had gone far enough to see the door. The doctor,
who was a busy man, had handed Marcello over to the men on duty at the
entrance, with an order he had pencilled on his card while driving up,
and had gone on at once. But Regina was convinced that Marcello was
there, as she hurried forward.

A man in blue linen clothes and a laced cap stopped her on the steps and
asked what she wanted.

"A young man has just been brought here, very ill," she explained, "and
I want to see him."

"A very young man? Fair? Thin? From the Campagna? In rags?"

"Yes. I want to see him."

"You can see him to-morrow, if he is alive," answered the orderly in a
business-like tone.

"To-morrow?" repeated Regina, in a tone of profound disappointment.

"To-morrow is Sunday. Friends and relatives can visit patients on
Sundays between nine and four."

"But he has no other friends," pleaded Regina. "Please, please let me go
to him!"

"To-morrow between nine and four."

"No, no--to-day--now--he knows me--my name is Regina."

"Not if you were the Queen of the world," answered the orderly, jesting
with perfect calm. "You must have a written order from the
Superintendent."

"Yes, yes! Let me see him!"

"You can see him on Mondays between ten and twelve."

"The day after to-morrow?" cried Regina in despair.

"Yes, between ten and twelve, the day after to-morrow."

"But I may come to-morrow without an order?"

"Yes. Friends and relatives can visit patients on Sundays between nine
and four."

The man's imperturbability was exasperating, and Regina, who was not
patient, felt that if she stayed any longer she should try to take him
by the collar, shake him, and force her way in. But she was much too
sensible to do anything so rash. There was no choice but to go away.

"Thank you," she said, as she turned to go down the steps.

"You are welcome," the man answered very civilly, for he was watching
her and was reflecting that he had never seen such a face and figure
before.

Some hours later, when the police communicated with the Superintendent,
and when he found that a woman had come to the door who said that