MR. T. Why, Mr. Podbury, so you've come along here? That's _right_! And how do you like Milan? I like the place first-rate--it's a live city, Sir. And I like this old cathedral, too; it's well constructed--they've laid out money on it. I call it real ornamental, all these little figgers they've stuck around--and not two of 'em a pair either. Now, they might have had 'em all alike, and no one any the wiser up so high as this; but it certainly gives it more variety, too, having them different. Well, I'm going up as high as ever I _can_ go. You two better come along up with me. ON THE TOP. MISS P. (_as she perceives_ MISS T. _and her companion_). Now, Bob, pray remember all I've told you! [BOB _turns away, petulantly_. MISS T. (_aside, to_ VAN B.). I guess the air's got cooler up here, Charley. But if that girl imagines she's going to freeze _me_! (_Advancing to_ MISS P.) Why, my dear, it's almost too sweet for anything, meeting you again! MISS P. You're extremely kind, Maud; I wish I could return the compliment; but really, after what took place at Bellagio, I---- MISS T. (_taking her arm_). Well, I'll own up to being pretty horrid--and so were you; but there don't seem any sense in our meeting up here like a couple of strange cats on tiles. I won't fly out any more, there! I'm just dying for a reconciliation; and so is Mr. Van Boodeler. The trouble I've had to console that man! He never met anybody before half so interested in the great Amurrcan Novel. And he's wearying for another talk. So you'd better give that hatchet a handsome funeral, and come along and take pity on him. [HYP., _after a struggle, yields, half-reluctantly, and allows herself to be taken across to_ MR. VAN B., _who greets her effusively_. MISS T. _leaves them together_. BOB P. (_who has been prudently keeping in the background till now, decides that his chance has come_). How do you do, Miss Trotter? It's awfully jolly to meet you again like this! MISS T. Well, I guess that remark would have been more convincing if you'd made it a few minutes earlier. BOB. I--I--you see, I didn't know ... I was afraid--I rather thought---- MISS T. You don't get much further with _rather_ thinking, as a general rule, than if you didn't think at all. But if you're at all anxious to run away the way you did at Bellagio, you needn't be afraid _I'll_ hinder you. BOB. (_earnestly_). Run away! _Do_ you think I'd have gone if--I've felt dull enough ever since, without _that!_ MISS T. Oh, I expect you've had a beautiful time. _We_ have. MISS P. (_coming up_). Robert, I thought you wanted to see the Alps? You should come over to the other side, and---- MISS T. I'll undertake that he sees the Alps, my dear, presently--when we're through our talk. MISS P. As you please, dear. But (_pointedly_) did I not see Mr. Culchard below?