Culch. Evidently.  I suppose there’s no chance of a—­a reconciliation up there? [With some alarm.

Podb. Don’t you be afraid.  When HYPATIA once gets her quills up, they don’t subside so easily!  Hallo! isn’t this old TROTTER?

    [That gentleman appears in the doorway.

Mr. T. Why, Mr. PODBURY, so you’ve come along here?  That’s right!  And how do you like Milan?  I like the place first-rate—­it’s a live city, Sir.  And I like this old cathedral, too; it’s well constructed—­they’ve laid out money on it.  I call it real ornamental, all these little figgers they’ve stuck around—­and not two of ’em a pair either.  Now, they might have had ’em all alike, and no one any the wiser up so high as this; but it certainly gives it more variety, too, having them different.  Well, I’m going up as high as ever I can go.  You two better come along up with me.

ON THE TOP.

Miss P. (as she perceives Miss T. and her companion).  Now, BOB, pray remember all I’ve told you! [BOB turns away, petulantly.

Miss T. (aside, to VAN B.).  I guess the air’s got cooler up here, CHARLEY.  But if that girl imagines she’s going to freeze me! (Advancing to Miss P.) Why, my dear, it’s almost too sweet for anything, meeting you again!

Miss P. You’re extremely kind, MAUD; I wish I could return the compliment; but really, after what took place at Bellagio, I—­

Miss T. (taking her arm).  Well, I’ll own up to being pretty horrid—­and so were you; but there don’t seem any sense in our meeting up here like a couple of strange cats on tiles.  I won’t fly out anymore, there!  I’m just dying for a reconciliation; and so is Mr. VAN BOODELER.  The trouble I’ve had to console that man!  He never met anybody before haff so interested in the great Amurrcan Novel.  And he’s wearying for another talk.  So you’d better give that hatchet a handsome funeral, and come along and take pity on him.

    [HYP., after a struggle, yields, half-reluctantly, and allows
    herself to be taken across to Mr. VAN B., who greets her
    effusively.  Miss T. leaves them together.

Bob P. (who has been prudently keeping in the background till now, decides that his chance has come).  How do you do.  Miss TROTTER?  It’s awfully jolly to meet you again like this!

Miss.  T. Well, I guess that remark would have been more convincing if you’d made it a few minutes earlier.

Bob.  I—­I—­you see, I didn’t know....  I was afraid—­I rather thought—­

Miss T. You don’t get much further with rather thinking, as a general rule, than if you didn’t think at all.  But if you’re at all anxious to run away the way you did at Bellagio, you needn’t be afraid I’ll hinder you.

Bob. (earnestly).  Run away! Do you think I’d have gone if—­I’ve felt dull enough ever since, without that.’