"The Cavaliere has retired to his native city of Ancona, upon a pension, for the rest of his natural life.

He is a very good old man!" "I have a great regard for him," said Rowland, gravely, at the same time that he privately wondered whether the Cavaliere's pension was paid by Prince Casamassima for services rendered in connection with his marriage.

Had the Cavaliere received his commission?
"And what do you do," Rowland continued, "on leaving this place ?" "We go to Italy--we go to Naples." She rose and stood silent a moment, looking down the valley.

The figure of Prince Casamassima appeared in the distance, balancing his white umbrella.

As her eyes rested upon it, Rowland imagined that he saw something deeper in the strange expression which had lurked in her face while he talked to her.