housework so that it all seemed to go on of its own accord; and nicely,
too, as if every day were Sunday. In short, Mrs. Menotti could not find
words enough to praise Stineli in all the ways in which she found her
admirable; and Rico was always happy in listening to these praises.

When they all sat together in the pleasant room, and exchanged loving
and happy glances, they felt that they never wanted to be separated,
and called themselves the happiest family in the whole world, and
needed for nothing.

But the clouds on Rico's brow grew dark as night came on, and towards
ten o'clock every thing looked black and blacker; and even if Mrs.
Menotti, in her contentment, did not notice it, Stineli did, and
secretly worried over it, thinking, "It is just as if there were a
thunder-storm in the air."




CHAPTER XIX.

CLOUDS ON THE BEAUTIFUL LAKE OF GARDA.


It was a beautiful Sunday in autumn, and across the Lake of Riva there
was to be a "dance evening," and Rico was to go over there to play; so
he would not be able to pass the day with Stineli and the rest. They
talked this over and over through the week, for it was a great trial to
them all when Rico did not come for Sunday; and Stineli tried to find
all sorts of little reasons to reconcile Rico, and to make the affair