"They have all vanished from me, since my childhood.

Old Tomaso will tell you that the air of Monte Beni is not so favorable to length of days as it used to be.

But that is not the secret of the quick extinction of my kindred." "Then you are aware of a more satisfactory reason ?" suggested Kenyon.
"I thought of one, the other night, while I was gazing at the stars," answered Donatello; "but, pardon me, I do not mean to tell it.

One cause, however, of the longer and healthier life of my forefathers was, that they had many pleasant customs, and means of making themselves glad, and their guests and friends along with them.

Nowadays we have but one!" "And what is that ?" asked the sculptor.
"You shall see!" said his young host.
By this time, he had ushered the sculptor into one of the numberless saloons; and, calling for refreshment, old Stella placed a cold fowl upon the table, and quickly followed it with a savory omelet, which Girolamo had lost no time in preparing.