e did not try to withdraw it for
two--three minutes; then she shot him a sidewise glance. 'Tony,' she
said, 'don't you think you are forgetting your place?'

'No, signorina, I am just learning it.'

'Let go my hand.'

He gazed pensively at the moon and hummed Santa Lucia under his breath.

'Tony! I shall be angry with you.'

'I shall be ver' sorry for zat, signorina. I do not wish to make you
angry, but I sink--perhaps you get over it.'

'You are behaving abominably to-day, Tony. I shall never stay alone with
you again.'

'Signorina, look at zat moon up dere. Is it not ver' bright? When I look
at zat moon I have always beautiful toughts about how much I love
Costantina.'

An interval followed during which neither spoke. The driver's song was
growing louder and the horses were galloping. The diligence suddenly
rounded a curved cliff on two wheels. Constance lurched against him; he
caught her and held her. Her lips were very near his; he kissed her
softly.

She moved to the far end of the seat and faced him with flushed cheeks.
'I thought you were a gentleman!'

'I used to be, signorina; now I am only poor donkey-man.'

'I shall never speak to you again. You can climb as many mountains as you
wish with my father, but you can't have anything more to do with me.'

'_Scusi_, signorina. I--I did not mean to. It was just an accident,
signorina.'

Constance turned her back and stared at the road.

'It was not my fault. Truly it was not my fault. I did not wish to kiss
you--no nevair. But I could not help it. You put your head too close.'

She raised her eyes and studied the mountain-top.

'Signorina, why you treat me so cruel?'

Her back was inflexible.

'I am desolate. If you forgive me zis once I will nevair again do a sing
so wicked. Nevair, nevair, nevair.'

Constance continued her inspection of the mountain-top. Tony leaned
forward until he could see her face.

'Signorina,' he whispered, 'jus' give me one li'l' smile to show me you
are not angry for ever.'

The stage had stopped and Mr. Wilder was climbing down, but Constance's
gaze was still fixed on the sky, and Tony's eyes were on her.

'What's the matter, Constance, have you gone to sleep? Aren't you going
to get out?'

She came back with a start.

'Are we here already?'

There was a suspicion of regret in her tone which did not escape Tony.

At the Villa Rosa gates he wished them a humbly deferential good night,
but with a smile hove