side.

"I think that is just where I should wish to have it," said Paolina,
looking up at the vault. "If I may, I will go up and see whether it
is near enough to the figure I have to copy."

"Do so, my daughter. It looks a great height, but I have no doubt
that it is quite safe. The Signor Marchese was very particular in
seeing to it himself. See, I will go up first to give you courage."

And so saying, the old man with a slow but firm step began to ascend
the ladder of the scaffolding. And when he had reached the platform
at the top, Paolina, more used to such climbing than he, and who in
truth had felt no alarm whatever, followed him with a lighter step.

"Yes, this will do nicely, Padre mio!" she said, when she had
reached the top; "it is placed just where it should be, and this
large window gives just all the light I want. It is a much better
light than I had to work by in San Vitale."

"I never was in San Vitale," replied the monk. "I have been here
fourteen years next Easter, and I have never once been in Ravenna in
all that time, nor, indeed, further away from this church than just
a stroll within the edge of the Pineta."

"That is the Pineta we see from this window, of course, Padre mio.
What a lovely view of it! And how beautiful it is! Where does that
road go to, Padre? To Venice?"

"No, figliuola mia. It goes in exactly the opposite direction,