'
'And all those barrels in the vestibule! And the smell of wine while the
Brother was explaining the legends carved on the cypress-wood door. And
then about the Madonna of the Rosary--do you remember?--his explanation
made you laugh, and I could not help laughing too, and the poor man was
so put out, that he would not open his mouth again, not even to thank
you at the last--'
There was a little pause. Then she began again.
'And at Sant' Alexio, where you would not let me look at the cupola
through the keyhole. How we laughed then too!'
Renewed silence. Along the road towards them came a party of men
carrying a coffin, and followed by a hired conveyance full of tearful
relatives. They were on their way to the Jewish cemetery. It was a grim
and silent funeral. The men with their hooked noses and rapacious eyes
were all as like one another as brothers. The two horses separated to
let the procession pass, keeping close to the wall on either side, and
the lovers looked at each other across the dead, their spirits sinking
lower with every moment.
When presently they rejoined one another, Andrea said--'Tell me--what is
the matter? What is on your mind?'
She hesitated a moment before replying, keeping her eyes on her horse's
neck and stroking it with the end of her riding whip, irresolute and
very pale.
'You have something on your mind,' persisted the young man.
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