kitchen; near by it there was a rough coach-house and a stable with room
for a dozen horses. The carriage usually went back to Rome on the day
after every one had arrived, and was sent for when wanted; but there
were a number of rough Campagna horses in the stable, such as are ridden
by the cattle herders about Rome, tough little beasts of fairly good
temper and up to a much heavier weight than might be guessed by a
stranger in the country. In the morning the men of the party usually
went shooting, if the wind was fair, for where quail are concerned much
depends on that. Dinner was in the middle of the day, and every one was
supposed to go to sleep after it. In the late afternoon the horses were
saddled, and the whole party went for a gallop on the sands, or up to
classic Ardea, or across the half-cultivated country, coming back to
supper when it was dark. A particularly fat and quiet pony was kept for
Marcello's mother, who was no great rider, but the Contessa and Aurora
rode anything that was brought them, as the men did. To tell the truth,
the Campagna horse is rarely vicious, and, even when only half broken,
can be ridden by a lady if she be an average horsewoman.

Everything happened as usual. The party reached the cottage in time for
a late luncheon, rested afterwards, and then rode out. But the Signora
Corbario would not go.

"Your pony looks fatter and quieter than ever," said Maddalena dell'
Armi with a smile. "If you do not ride him, he will turn into a
fixture."

"He is already a very solid piece of furniture," observed Folco, looking
at the sleek animal.

"He is very like the square piano I practise on," said Aurora. "He has