"How pleasant the sunshine is! It's quite a treat to be able to walk about a little as if one were in the country!" Dario was the first to cease smiling at the blue sky, all the delight of his stroll with his cousin on his arm suddenly departing.

"My dear," said he, "we must go to see those people, since you are bent on it, though it will certainly spoil our day.

But first I must take my bearings.

I'm not particularly clever, you know, in finding my way in places where I don't care to go.

Besides, this district is idiotic with all its dead streets and dead houses, and never a face or a shop to serve as a reminder.