For all that, perhaps because of that, their life went on smooth and tranquil as a limpid and quiet stream. Nurse (always relating how she had lived with a pair who used to beat each other even in bed--"and when I wanted to make peace between them I took a stick too!") used to say-- "We can't go on like this, Mistress! Do quarrel with Master a little, or you'll see we shall get some bad luck." "I defy the prophecy!" said Regina. "Well, I hope I'll get through bringing up the little angel first! See what a beauty she is! See!" * * * * * Antonio woke, and before opening his eyes felt that Regina was looking at him, and he smiled. "It must be very late!" he exclaimed, seeing the ray of sunshine. "No; it's the sun which is earlier. It's a quarter to eight. Shall I ring for baby?" "Wait one minute! Give me a kiss! We hardly ever see each other!" He took her in his arms and kissed her, hugging her like a child. She kissed his smooth brow, his hair, and, feeling him all her own, so loving, so young, so handsome, so trusting, her heart throbbed with a tenderness that was almost pain. Thus for several minutes they remained embraced, in the silence, in the luminous penumbra of the warm, blue room. Outside the street was becoming animated; but the noises vibrated softly, as if blended in the deep serenity of the air. "I feel as if we were lying in a wood," said Antonio. "I'm still half asleep, and I'd like to sleep on like this to the end of time." "It's the spring!" said Regina. "I also see the wood, and through the wood the river, and, oh, so many flowers!" "Are you going to the Pincio to-day?" "No; I'm going to see Gabrie. She has been three days in bed, poor child." Antonio made no remark. He did not require his wife to account for her time, just as she did not demand it of him. Regina wanted to go and see her mother in June, and he asked, suddenly, "When is the exam.?" "What exam.? Gabrie's? July, I think." "Then you aren't going back together, as she said the other day?" "No." They were silent. So much time had passed, so many things had changed--Regina had left home twice, and twice she had come back--that the caprice of her first going away now seemed a mere childishness, far off, obscured by subsequent events. Still, every time they spoke of parting, even if, as to-day, it were at one of the sweetest and most intimate moments of their life, they felt embarrassed, separated, torn asunder by some extraneous force. But this did not last. To-day spring was beating at the window. It was the time not of clouds, but of sun. Young, at ease, in love with each other, Regina and Antonio forgot the winter with the birds, and with them sung their hymn of joy.