"Could you--a--a--would you be willing--to--to--walk a little part of the way with me, and--show me a very little part of the way--only a very little?" [Illustration: Away!] The girl seemed half to consent, but modestly hesitated, and a faint flush stole over her face. "Ah do!" said Dick. He was desperate. "It's my only chance," thought he. The girl softly assented and walked on with him. "I am very much obliged to you for your kindness," said Dick. "It's very hard for a stranger to find his way in Rome." "But, Signore, by this time you ought to know the whole of our city." "What? How?" "Why, you have been here three weeks at least." "How do you know?" and the young man blushed to his eyes. He had been telling lies, and she knew it all the time. "Oh, I saw you once in the church, and I have seen you with that tall man. Is he your father?" "No, only a friend." "I saw you," and she shook her little head triumphantly, and her eyes beamed with fun and laughter. "Any way," thought Dick, "she ought to understand." "And did you see me when I was in that little church with a measuring line?" The young girl looked up at him, her large eyes reading his very soul. "Did I look at you? Why, I was praying." "You looked at me, and I have never forgotten it." Another glance as though to assure herself of Dick's meaning. The next moment her eyes sank and her face flushed crimson. Dick's heart beat so fast that he could not speak for some time. "Signore," said the young girl at last, "when you turn that corner you will see the Piazza del Popolo." "Will you not walk as far as that corner?" said Dick. "Ah, Signore, I am afraid I will not have time." "Will I never see you again?" asked he, mournfully. "I do not know, Signore. You ought to know." A pause. Both had stopped, and Dick was looking earnestly at her, but she was looking at the ground. "How can I know when I do not know even your name? Let me know that, so that I may think about it." "Ah, how you try to flatter! My name is Pepita Gianti." "And do you live far from here?" "Yes. I live close by the Basilica di San Paolo fuori le mure." "A long distance. I was out there once." "I saw you." Dick exulted. "How many times have you seen me? I have only seen you once before." "Oh, seven or eight times." "And will this be the last?" said Dick, beseechingly. "Signore, if I wait any longer the gates will be shut." "Oh, then, before you go, tell me where I can find you to-morrow. If I walk out on that road will I see you? Will you come in to-morrow? or will you stay out there and shall I go there? Which of the houses do you live in? or where can I find you? If you lived over on the Alban Hills I would walk every day to find you." Dick spoke with ardor and impetuosity. The deep feeling which he showed, and the mingled eagerness and delicacy which he exhibited, seemed not offensive to his companion. She looked up timidly.