of miles away. But there is no port, or even landing-place there.
And there are many tracks through the forest. You may get to Cervia,
too, that way. But it is hardly likely that any one would leave the
road to find a longer way by worse ways through the forest. More
likely the object of the Signor Marchese is only to show the lady
the famous Pineta."

Paolina, while the monk was thus speaking, had kept her eyes fixed
upon the little carriage, which was making its way along a by-road
constructed on the top of a dike by the side of one of the numerous
streams that intersect all the district; and she continued to watch
it till she saw it stop at the entrance to the yard of the little
farmhouse, to which the monk had called her attention. She then saw
Ludovico and his companion descend from the carriage, and leave it
apparently in the charge of a man, who came out from the farm-yard.
And they then left the spot where they had alighted on foot, and in
another minute were no longer visible from the window at which
Paolina and the monk stood.

"How long a walk is it, father, from here into the wood?" asked
Paolina, musingly.

"It is a very short distance, daughter. There is a footpath
practicable in dry weather like this, a good deal nearer than the
road we saw the bagarino follow. You might get to the edge of the
Pineta in that way in less than ten minutes."

"And would it be possible to return to the city that way, instead of
coming back to the road?" enquired Paolina.