a thousand years."

He made eyes at her in a manner he considered irresistible, and replaced
his hat on his head, a little on one side. Regina had never been called
"Signorina" before, and she was well aware that no woman who wears a
kerchief out of doors, instead of a hat, is entitled to be addressed as
a lady in Rome; but she was not at all offended by the rank flattery of
the speech, and she saw that the inspector was a good-natured young
coxcomb.

"You are too kind," she answered politely. "Do you think I can be of any
use?"

"There are the carabineers," objected the inspector, as if that were a
sufficient answer. "But you may look in through the door and see the
sick man."

"I have seen him through the window. He looks very ill."

"Ah, Signorina," sighed the youth, "if I were ill, I should pray the
saints to send you--"

He was interrupted by the arrival of the doctor, who asked him what was
the matter, and was at once led in by him. Regina withdrew to a little
distance in the direction of the church and waited. The doctor had come
in a cab, and in a few moments she saw Marcello carried out and placed
in it. Then she walked as fast as she could towards the church, quite
sure that the cab would stop at the door of the hospital, and anxious to
be within sight of it. Everything had turned out well, even beyond her
expectations. The cab passed her at a brisk pace before she reached the