now of the lady from
provincial England. She was very well, because most fittingly, dressed;
neither too youthfully, nor with undue disregard of the fact that she
was still young; a travelling-costume apt to the season and the country.

"They speak much of Signor Mal-lard at the osteria," said Spence. "Your
departure afflicts them, naturally, no doubt. Do you know whether any
other Englishman ever braved that accommodation?"

A country lad appeared, carrying a small hamper, wherein the party had
brought their midday meal from Salerno.

"Why did you trouble?" said Mallard. "We have cheese and salame in
abundance."

"So I supposed," Spence replied, drily. "I recall the quality of both.
Also the _vino di Calabria_, which is villanously sweet. Show us what
point of view you chose."

For an hour they walked and talked. Miriam alone was almost silent, but
she paid constant attention to the ruins. Mallard heard her say
something to Eleanor about the difference between the columns of the
middle temple and those of the so-called Basilica; three years ago,
such a remark would have been impossible on her lips, and when he
glanced at her with curiosity, she seemed conscious of his look.

They at length opened the hamper, and seated themselves near the spot
where Mallard had been reclining.

"There's a smack of profanity in this," said Spence. "The least we can
do is to pour a libation to Poseidon, before we begin the meal."

And he did so, filling a tumbler with wine arid solemnly emptying half
of it on to the floor of the _cella_. Mallard watched the effect on
Mrs. Baske; she met his look for an instant and smiled, then relapsed
into thoughtfulness.

The only other visitors to-day were a couple of Germans, who looked
like artists and went about in enthusiastic talk; one kept dealing the
other severe blows on the chest, which occasionally made the recipient
stagger--all in pure joy and friendship. They measured some of the
columns, and in one place, for a special piece of observation, the
smaller man mounted on his companion's shoulders. Miriam happened to
see them whilst they were thus posed, and the spectacle struck her with
such ludicrous effect that she turned away to disguise sudden laughter.
In doing so, she by chance faced Mallard, and he too began to laugh.
For the first time since they had been acquainted, they looked into
each other's eyes with frank, hearty merriment. Miriam speedily
controlled herself, and th