You have reappeared on earth some centuries too late." "I do not understand you now," answered Donatello, looking perplexed; "only, signorina, I am glad to have my lifetime while you live; and where you are, be it in cities or fields, I would fain be there too." "I wonder whether I ought to allow you to speak in this way," said Miriam, looking thoughtfully at him.

"Many young women would think it behooved them to be offended.

Hilda would never let you speak so, I dare say.

But he is a mere boy," she added, aside, "a simple boy, putting his boyish heart to the proof on the first woman whom he chances to meet.
If yonder lay-figure had had the luck to meet him first, she would have smitten him as deeply as I." "Are you angry with me ?" asked Donatello dolorously.
"Not in the least," answered Miriam, frankly giving him her hand.

"Pray look over some of these sketches till I have leisure to chat with you a little.