Page:Daphne, an Autumn Pastoral.djvu/15

 the silver, and speaking in what seemed to his listener one word of a thousand syllables.

"The—Signorina—goes—to—walk—upon—the—hills—above—the—villa—because—it—is—a—most—beautiful—day.—She—returns—to—dine—at—six—and—wishes—Assunta—to—have—dinner—prepared.—Perhaps—the—Signorina—would—tell—what—she—would—like—for—her—dinner?—A—roast—chicken,—yes?—A—salad,—yes?"

Daphne looked dubiously at him, though he had stated the case with entire accuracy, and had suggested for her solitary meal what she most liked. There was a slight pucker in her white forehead, and she vouchsafed no answer to what she did not understand.

"Addio, addio," she said earnestly.

"A rivederla!" answered Giacomo, with a courtly sweep of the chamois skin.

The girl climbed steadily up the moist, steep