The priest stood hesitating and miserable before them, a hot colour suffusing his hollow cheeks.

Lucy saw that he was no longer in clerical dress.

He wore a grey alpaca suit, and a hat of fine Leghorn straw with a broad black ribbon.

Both ladies almost feared to speak to him.
Then Lucy ran forward, her cheeks too a bright red, her eyes wet and sparkling.

'How do you do, Father Benecke?
You won't remember me, but I was just introduced to you that day at luncheon--don't you remember--on the Aventine ?' The priest took her offered hand, and looked at her in astonishment.
'Yes--I remember--you were with Miss Manisty.' 'I wish you had asked me to come with you this morning,' cried the girl suddenly.