"Is the villa inhabited?" Christina asked, pointing to the vast
melancholy structure which rises above the terrace.
"Not privately," said Roderick. "It is occupied by a Jesuits' college,
for little boys."
"Can women go in?"
"I am afraid not." And Roderick began to laugh. "Fancy the poor little
devils looking up from their Latin declensions and seeing Miss Light
standing there!"
"I should like to see the poor little devils, with their rosy cheeks and
their long black gowns, and when they were pretty, I should n't scruple
to kiss them. But if I can't have that amusement I must have some other.
We must not stand planted on this enchanting terrace as if we were
stakes driven into the earth. We must dance, we must feast, we must do
something picturesque. Mamma has arranged, I believe, that we are to go
back to Frascati to lunch at the inn. I decree that we lunch here and
send the Cavaliere to the inn to get the provisions! He can take the
carriage, which is waiting below."
Miss Light carried out this undertaking with unfaltering ardor. The
Cavaliere was summoned, and he stook to receive her commands hat in
hand, with his eyes cast down, as if she had been a princess addressing
her major-domo.
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