the hotel in Rome the morning before. So much improved did she seem that
the present plan was to take a late afternoon train for Florence, for
Mr. Sumner said the sooner they could get farther north, the better it
would be. This was carried out, and night found them back in the dear
Florence home, there to spend a few days.

The city was very lovely in its May foliage and blossoms,--too lovely to
leave so soon, they all averred. But it must be, and after having taken
again their favorite drives, and having given another look at their
favorite pictures, with an especial interest in those by the Venetian
masters whom they would study more fully in Venice, they turned their
faces northward.

The journey at first took them through rich Tuscan plains, and later
through wild, picturesque ravines of the Apennines. Higher and higher
the railway climbed, threading numberless tunnels, and affording
magnificent views as it emerged into opening after opening, until
finally it passed under the height that divides the watershed of the
Adriatic and Tyrrhenian seas, and entered the narrow and romantic valley
of the Reno. Not long after they were in the ancient city of Bologna.
After a few minutes in their several rooms, all gathered in the loggia
of their hotel, which commanded a grand survey of the city.

"How fine this air is after our long, dusty ride!" exclaimed Margery,
tossing back her curls to catch the breeze.

"I did not expect to find Bologna so curiously beautiful," said Bettina,
after she had seen that Barbara was comfortable in the big chair Malcom
had wheeled out for her--for she was still languid from her recent
illness, and tired easily.