I shall not follow them, I promise you.

I cannot take the basilica of St.Peter about with me in my pocket, can I ?" And so he was angry at first, and at length he was pacified, and finally he advised Nino to discover immediately where the count and his daughter were going; and if it were to any great capital, to endeavour to make a contract to sing there.

Lent came early that year, and Nino was free at the end of Carnival,--not many days longer to wait.

This was the plan that had instantly formed itself in Nino's brain.

De Pretis is really a most obliging man, but one cannot wonder that he should be annoyed at the result of Nino's four months' courtship under such great difficulties, when it seemed that all their efforts had led only to the sudden departure of his lady-love.