But Orso hastened to thank him, and to assure him they would have plenty of time to talk at Pietranera--this was the name of the village where he was to take up his abode.
The colonel then resumed his customary position on the sofa, and Miss Nevil, after attempting several subjects of conversation, gave up all hope of inducing the fair Colomba to talk, and begged Orso to read her a canto out of Dante, her favourite poet.

Orso chose the canto of the Inferno, containing the episode of Francesca da Rimini, and began to read, as impressively as he was able, the glorious tiercets which so admirably express the risk run by two young persons who venture to read a love-story together.

As he read on Colomba drew nearer to the table, and raised her head, which she had kept lowered.

Her wide-open eyes, shone with extraordinary fire, she grew red and pale by turns, and stirred convulsively in her chair.

How admirable is the Italian organization, which can understand poetry without needing a pedant to explain its beauties! When the canto was finished: "How beautiful that is!" she exclaimed.