ni obligingly turned stubborn again. His mind bent upon
rest and supper, he insisted upon going to the village; the harder
Constance pulled on the left rein, the more fixed was his determination
to turn to the right.

'Help! I'm being run away with again,' she called over her shoulder as
the donkey's pace quickened into a trot.

Tony, awakening to his duty, started in pursuit, while the others
laughingly shouted directions. He did not run as determinedly as he
might, and they had covered considerable ground before he overtook them.
He turned Fidilini's head and they started back--at a walk.

'Signorina,' said Tony, 'may I ask a question, a little impertinent?'

'No, certainly not.'

Silence.

'Ah, Tony?' she asked presently.

'_Si_, signorina?'

'What is it you want to ask?'

'Are you going to marry that Italian lieutenant--or perhaps the captain?'

'That _is_ impertinent.'

'Are you?'

'You forget yourself, Tony. It is not your place to ask such a question.'

'_Si_, signorina; it is my place. If it is true I cannot be your
donkey-man any longer.'

'No, it is not true, but that is no concern of yours.'

'Are you going on another trip Friday--to Monte Maggiore?'

'Yes.'

'May I come with you?'

His tone implied more than his words. She hesitated a moment, then
shrugged indifferently.

'Just as you please, Tony. If you don't wish to work for us any more I
dare say we can find another man.'

'It is as you please, signorina. If you wish it, I come, if you do not
wish it, I go.'

She made no answer. They joined the others and the party proceeded to the
villa gates.

Lieutenant di Ferara helped Constance dismount, while Captain Coroloni,
with none too good a grace, held the donkey. A careful observer would
have fancied that the lieutenant was ahead, and that both he and the
captain knew it. Tony untied the bundles, dumped them on the kitchen
floor, and waited respectfully, hat in hand, while Mr. Wilder searched
his pockets for change. He counted out four lire and added a note. Tony
pocketed the lire and returned the note, while Mr. Wilder stared his
astonishment.

'Good-bye, Tony,' Constance smiled as he turned away.

'Good-bye, signorina.' There was a note of finality in his voice.

'Well!' Mr. Wilder ejaculated. 'That is the first----' 'Italian' he
started to say, but he caught the word before it was out--'donkey-driver
I ever saw refuse money.'

Lieutenant di Ferara raised his shoulders.