Immense applause succeeded the recitative, and with a general shout of
the party went frolicking on their way.
These had scarcely left before another company appeared, composed of tourists, who had evidently made each other's acquaintance en route, and their plans coïnciding, were going on together. There was a handsome girl among them, with a stylish figure, black hair, and dark eyes, who was particularly demonstrative in praise of the inscription.
"Italian!" she exclaimed; "we are really, then, in Italy—in Italy!"
"You are, Mademoiselle," said a young man, with as much admiration in his look as he dared to manifest; "this is the frontier."
"Indeed! oh! how happy I am! in Italy at last! My dreams so soon to be realized! I can scarcely contain myself with delight! And these lines: I must have a new title in my common-place book; here it is; your pencil a moment: Sun-Dial"—and the inscription was copied. "How admirable! how appropriate! 'Time, the run-away.' Ah! yes! he is a runaway; and how he keeps us chasing after him!"
While the fair one, in the exuberance of life and health, was giving play to her elastic spirits, a young girl, very pale, with hollow cheeks, attenuated form, and weak step, leaning on the arm of
