Tony glanced ahead and added with a quick frown-- 'But perhaps I do not need to tell you that--you may know it already ?' 'You are impertinent, Tony.' She pulled the donkey into a trot that left him behind.
The highway was broad and they proceeded in a group, the conversation general and in English, Tony quite naturally having no part in it.

But at the corners where the road to the village and the road to the villa separated, Fidilini 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.