 cities when your health is
established?« she inquired, in a voice which skilfully avoided any presumption
of the reply. »Or shall you return by sea?«
    »I am not a very good sailor,« answered Miriam, with sufficient suavity,
»and I shall probably go back by land. But I don't think I shall stop anywhere.«
    »It will be wiser, no doubt,« said Mrs. Lessingham, »to leave the rest of
Italy for another visit. To see Naples first, and then go north, is very much
like taking dessert before one's substantial dinner. I'm a little sorry that
Cecily begins here; but it was better to come and enjoy Naples with her friends
this winter. I hope we shall spend most of our time in Italy for a year or two.«
    Conversation took its natural course, and presently turned to the subject -
inexhaustible at Naples - of the relative advantages of this and that situation
for an abode. Mrs. Lessingham, turning to the window, expressed her admiration
of the view it afforded.
    »I think it is still better from Mrs. Baske's sitting-room,« said Eleanor,
who had been watching Cecily, and thought that she might be glad of an
opportunity of private talk with Miriam. And Cecily at once availed herself of
the suggestion.
    »Would you let me see it, Miriam?« she asked. »If it is not troublesome -«
    Miriam rose, and they went out together. In silence they passed along the
corridor, and when they had entered her room Miriam walked at once to the
window. Then she half turned, and her eyes fell before Cecily's earnest gaze.
    »I did so wish to be with you in your illness!« said the girl, with
affectionate warmth. »Indeed, I would have come if I could have been of any use.
After all the trouble you used to have with my wretched headaches and ailments
-«
    »You never have anything of the kind now,« said Miriam, with her indulgent
smile.
    »Never. I am in what Mr. Mallard calls aggressive health. But it shocks me
to see how pale you still are, Miriam. I thought the voyage and these ten days
at Naples - And you have such a careworn look. Cannot you throw off your
troubles under this sky?«
    »You know that the sky matters very little to me, Cecily.«
    »If I could give you only half my delight! I was awake before dawn this
morning,
