My Friend Prospero

  VI

  John, wild-eyed, was still where she had left him, in the avenue,savouring and resavouring his woe. "If only," he brooded, "she were ofone's own rank in the world, then her wealth might perhaps not be suchan absolutely hopeless impediment as it is. But to marry, as they say,beneath one, and to marry money into the bargain,--that would be alittle too much like the fortune-hunter of tradition." He still satwhere she had left him, on the marble bench, disconsolate, when theparroco approached hurriedly, from the direction of the house.

  "Signore," the parroco began, out of breath, "I offer a thousand excusesfor venturing to disturb you, but my niece has suddenly fallen ill. I amgoing to the village to telephone for a doctor. My cook is away, for herSunday afternoon. Might I pray you to have the extreme kindness to staywith the child till I return? I don't know what is the matter, but shefainted, and now is delirious, and, I'm afraid, very ill indeed."

  "Good Heavens!" gasped John, forgetting everything else. "Of course, ofcourse."

  And he set off hotfoot for the presbytery.

  PART SIXTH