use--because you like me?"

Pilade grunted. "Suppose I did?"

Silvestro sighed, and leaned his head on his friend's shoulder.

"O wondrous night!" said he, whispering. "Look, the stars are like
moons."

It was certainly a wonderful night--a night of enormous silence, of
great steady stars, of gold-dusted air, of a sky like a purple dome
encrusted with jewelled lights. The two boys sat together, blinking at
so much speechless glory. Castracane's arm was round his fellow's
shoulder; that fellow's lips parted, and his breath came soft and
eager--yet too quickly for ease. It was certainly a night of wonder.

Castracane's arm slipped down to Silvestro's waist; Silvestro sighed,
and snuggled into the haven it made.

"O holy night!" said he. "Now might miracles happen, and we be by."

"Ah," said Castracane, "the miracle of choice would be an angel with a
basket of bread and cheese--or a beautiful maiden to come and lie in
one's arms."

Silvestro thrilled. Castracane gave a responsive squeeze, and went on.

"I am not too sure, you must know, that one has not happened already. To
see you lead that signore by the nose! You came swimming among the
tree-stems like an angel. You might have knocked me down with a feather.
And how he kissed your hand! Miracles! Why, if you had been the maiden I
dream about, he couldn't have been more respectful. If you want
miracles, for example!"

"I do want them, Pilade. I want them very much." Silvestro sighed again,
and leaned his cheek till it touched his friend's.

A shock transfused Castracane; he was caught by the starry influences.
Suddenly he turned his mouth towards that blushing flower, and kissed
Silvestro. Silvestro thrilled but lay close.

"Buon' Dio, ecco miracolo!" said Castracane hoarsely, and kissed again.

Again his nestling companion gave no sign but a quiver.

Castracane surveyed the stars. "A miracle has certainly happened," he
said. "I feel very queer. My head swims, fingers and toes tingle; I seem
to have hot lead in my legs. It may be that I am empty. I think it is a
miracle; but as yet I see no angel."

Some quicker thrill of what he held made him look at Silvestro. At the
same moment Silvestro slowly turned his head, and looked at him. What
each saw in the other's face beyond a white moon-shape, what shining of
truth in the eye, what expectancy, what revelation in the lips, I know
not. Two pair of lips, at least, met and stayed together.

"O Dio!"

"Oh,