"He is as surly as a wolf this morning." "I should think a man in his position would not need much teaching in order to be gallant to you," replied the old dandy, with a knowing look.
Then lowering his voice, he added confidentially, "I hope that before very long I may be allowed to congrat--" "I have prevailed upon him to give up following the hounds to-day," interrupted Donna Tullia, quickly.

She spoke loud enough to be noticed by Corona.

"He is coming with us to picnic at the Capannelle instead." Giovanni could not help glancing quickly at Corona.

She smiled faintly, and her face betrayed no emotion.
"I daresay it will be very pleasant," she said gently, looking far out over the Campagna.

In the next field the pack was moving away, followed at a little distance by a score of riders in pink; one or two men who had stayed behind in conversation, mounted hastily and rode after the hunt; some of the carriages turned out of the field and began to follow slowly along the road, in hopes of seeing the hounds throw off; the party who were going with Valdarno gathered about the drag, waiting for Donna Tullia; the grooms who were left behind congregated around the men who sold boiled beans and salad; and in a few minutes the meet had practically dispersed.
"Why will you not join us, Duchessa ?" asked Madame Mayer.