Nay, not of mine! I dare not call her a friend of mine, though once the dearest." "Do you speak of Hilda ?" exclaimed Kenyon, with quick alarm.

"Has anything befallen her?
When I last heard of her, she was still in Rome, and well." "Hilda remains in Rome," replied Miriam, "nor is she ill as regards physical health, though much depressed in spirits.

She lives quite alone in her dove-cote; not a friend near her, not one in Rome, which, you know, is deserted by all but its native inhabitants.

I fear for her health, if she continue long in such solitude, with despondency preying on her mind.

I tell you this, knowing the interest which the rare beauty of her character has awakened in you." "I will go to Rome!" said the sculptor, in great emotion.