Or rather, she must have been watching for him; he found her waiting in a path on the Pincio and smiled at her.

I understood at once.

What a beauty she is!" Benedetta smiled at her friend's enthusiasm; but her lips twitched somewhat painfully, for, however sensible she might be, this passion, which she realised to be so naive and so strong, was beginning to make her suffer.

She certainly made allowances for Dario, but the girl was too much in love with him, and she feared the consequences.

Even in turning the conversation she allowed the secret of her heart to escape her.