But we must get him away from this old, dreamy and dreary Rome, where nobody but himself ever thought of being gay.

Its influences are too heavy to sustain the life of such a creature." The above conversation had passed chiefly on the steps of the Cappuccini; and, having said so much, Miriam lifted the leathern curtain that hangs before all church-doors in italy.

"Hilda has forgotten her appointment," she observed, "or else her maiden slumbers are very sound this morning.

We will wait for her no longer." They entered the nave.

The interior of the church was of moderate compass, but of good architecture, with a vaulted roof over the nave, and a row of dusky chapels on either side of it instead of the customary side-aisles.