CHAPTER IV.
A BIT OF STRATEGY.
A sharp whistle from the locomotive awakened the sleepers.
"Where are we now ?" asked Blanka.
"Near Bologna," answered the artist, who alone had remained awake; "and there I have to leave the train, which continues on, via Imola, to Ancona." "You leave the train?
But I thought you, too, were going to Rome," said the princess, in surprise.
"So I am," was the reply, "but by another route.

My luggage will go through to Ancona, and thence by diligence to Rome, while I push on over the Apennines to Pistoja and Florence.

It is a harder road, but its splendid views amply repay one for an occasional climb on foot by the _vetturino's_ side; and then, too, I shall reach Rome one day ahead of you, who go by way of Ancona." Blanka listened with interest.

"Couldn't we take that route also ?" she asked.

"What do you say to it, Maria?
We could quietly leave the train at Bologna and let our trunks go on to Rome without us." "But are the mountain passes safe ?" queried Madam Dormandy, turning to Manasseh.