“Why don’t you go to some new place then?” inquired Flora.

“Where is there any new place?” responded he languidly.  “To be sure, there is Arabia Petraea, but the accommodations are not good.  Besides, Rome has attractions for me at present; and I really think I meet more acquaintances here than I should at home.  Rome is beginning to swarm with Americans, especially with Southerners.  One can usually recognize them at a glance by their unmistakable air of distinction.  They are obviously of porcelain clay, as Willis says.”

“I think our New England Mr. Percival is as polished a gentleman as any.  I have seen,” observed Mrs. Delano.

“He is a gentleman in manners and attainments, I admit,” replied Mr. Green; “but with his family and education, what a pity it is he has so disgraced himself.”

“Pray what has he done?” inquired the lady.

“Didn’t you know he was an Abolitionist?” rejoined Mr. Green.  “It is a fact that he has actually spoken at their meetings.  I was surprised to see him travelling with you in England.  It must be peculiarly irritating to the South to see a man of his position siding with those vulgar agitators.  Really, unless something effectual can be done to stop that frenzy, I fear Southern gentlemen will be unable to recover a fugitive slave.”

Flora looked at Mrs. Delano with a furtive, sideway glance, and a half-smile on her lips.  Her impulse was to jump up, dot one of her quick courtesies, and say:  “I am a fugitive slave.  Please, sir, don’t give me up to any of those distinguished gentlemen.”

Mr. Green noticed her glance, and mistook it for distaste of his theme.  “Pardon me, ladies,” said he, “for introducing a subject tabooed in polite society.  I called for a very different purpose.  One novelty remains for me in Rome.  I have never seen the statues of the Vatican by torchlight.  Some Americans are forming a party for that purpose to-morrow evening, and if you would like to join them, it will give me great pleasure to be your escort.”

Flora, being appealed to, expressed acquiescence, and Mrs. Delano replied:  “We will accept your invitation with pleasure.  I have a great predilection for sculpture.”

“Finding myself so fortunate in one request encourages me to make another,” rejoined Mr. Green.  “On the evening following Norma is to be brought out, with a new prima donna, from whom great things are expected.  I should be much gratified if you would allow me to procure tickets and attend upon you.”

Flora’s face lighted up at once.  “I see what my musical daughter wishes,” said Mrs. Delano.  “We will therefore lay ourselves under obligations to you for two evenings’ entertainment.”

The gentleman, having expressed his thanks, bade them good evening.

Flora woke up the next morning full of pleasant anticipations.  When Mrs. Delano looked in upon her, she found her already dressed, and busy with a sketch of the dancing couple from Frascati.  “I cannot make them so much alive as I wish,” said she, “because they are not in motion.  No picture can give the gleamings of the arrow or the whirlings of the veil.  I wish we could dress like Italians.  How I should like to wear a scarlet bodice, and a veil fastened with a silver arrow.”