He was destined on the present occasion to meet with greater success than had hitherto attended his efforts.

The picnic was noisy, and Giovanni was in a bad humour; he did not care for Donna Tullia's glances, nor for the remarks she constantly levelled at him; still less was he amused by the shallow gaiety of her party of admirers, tempered as their talk was by the occasional tonic of some outrageous cynicism from the melancholy Spicca.

Del Ferice smiled, and talked, and smiled again, seeking to flatter and please Donna Tullia, as was his wont.

By-and-by the clear north wind and the bright sun dried the ground, and Madame Mayer proposed that the party should walk a little on the road towards Rome--a proposal of such startling originality that it was carried by acclamation.

Donna Tullia wanted to walk with Giovanni; but on pretence of having left something upon the drag, he gave Valdarno time to take his place.