The monotonous chant and the beat of the mule's hoofs grew fainter, and at last died away among the heights above.

Soon after this sad procession had passed, a party of young men from the city appeared, laughing merrily, and talking of Quirites who were on the lookout rather for Sabine women than for saints.

On perceiving Giovanni and his companions they became silent, but when they had passed them they again began to laugh and jest; they jested about Giovanni, who, they said, might be the Saint between two temptresses.
A great cloud with silver edges, the first of a whole fleet, sailing towards the west, hid the sun.

Noemi, greatly refreshed, proposed that they should take advantage of the shade, and go forward.

A few steps below the cross of which, according to Torquato, the parish priest had dreamed, they met a _bourgeons_ dressed in black, who was coming down, riding a mule.
"I beg your pardon," he said, addressing the ladles and reining in his mule, "but is either of you Her Excellency the Duchess di Civitella ?" On receiving an answer he apologised, saying that a friend of his--a, senator--had recommended this duchess to his care; that he himself did not know her, but that she was coming to Jenne to see the Saint.
"Indeed, perhaps you, gentlemen, have come for the same purpose!" he said smiling.