eternity; time is annihilated, and the gods of Greece and Rome
are wandering about the hills.

Anna has gone away. Her father-in-law is very ill, and naturally
Count Accolanti is gone too. Even the cook has departed, because
of a family crisis of his own. I am here with the butler and his
wife to take care of me, and I am perfectly safe. Don't be
alarmed, and don't tell Aunt Alice that the elaborate new gowns
will have no spectators save two Roman peasants and possibly a
few sheep. Anna wanted to send me an English maid from Rome, but
l begged with tears, and she let me off. Assunta is all I need.
She and Giacomo are the real thing, peasants, and absolutely
unspoiled. They have never been five miles away from the estate,
and I know they have all kinds of superstitions and beliefs that
go with the soil. I shall find them out when I can understand.
At present we converse with eyes and fingers, for our six weeks'
study of Italian has not brought me knowledge enough to order my
dinner.

Padre carissimo, I've written to Eustace to take it all back. I
am afraid you won't like it, for you seemed pleased when it was
broken off, but I was unkind and I am sorry, and I want to make
amends. You really oughtn't to disapprove of a man, you know,
just because he wants altar candles and intones the service. And
I think his single-minded devotion is beautiful. You do not know
what a refuge it has been to me through all Aunt Alice's
receptions and teas.

Do leave New York, and come and live with me near ancient Rome.
We can easily slip back two thousand years.