THE CARDINAL'S SNUFF-BOX

BY HENRY HARLAND






I


"The Signorino will take coffee?" old Marietta asked, as she
set the fruit before him.

Peter deliberated for a moment; then burned his ships.

"Yes," he answered.

"But in the garden, perhaps?" the little brown old woman
suggested, with a persuasive flourish.

"No," he corrected her, gently smiling, and shaking his head,
"not perhaps--certainly."

Her small, sharp old black Italian eyes twinkled, responsive.

"The Signorino will find a rustic table, under the big
willow-tree, at the water's edge," she informed him, with a good
deal of gesture. "Shall I serve it there?"