Podb. That’s all.  And I’m feeling a bit done, you know.  Been doing the Correr Museum all the morning, and not lunched yet!  So Miss TROTTER’s looking at ornamental metal-work?  Rather fun that, eh?

Culch. For those who enjoy it.  She has only been in there an hour, so she is not likely to come back just yet.  What do you say to coming into S.S.  Giovanni e Paolo again, with me?  Those tombs form a really remarkable illustration, as RUSKIN points out, of the gradual decay of—­

Miss Trotter (suddenly flutters up, followed by an attendant carrying a studded halberd, an antique gondola-hook, and two copper water-buckets—­all of which are consigned to the disgusted CULCHARD).  Just hold these a spell till I come back.  Thanks ever so much....  Well, Mr. PODBURY!  Aren’t you going to admire my purchases?  They’re real antique—­or if they aren’t, they’ll wear all the better....  There, I believe I’ll just have to run back a minute—­don’t you put those things in the gondola yet, Mr. CULCHARD, or they’ll get stolen.

    [She flutters off.

Culch. (helplessly, as he holds the halberd, &c.).  I suppose I shall have to stay here now.  You’re not going?

Podb. (consulting his watch).  Must.  Promised old BOB I’d relieve guard in ten minutes.  Ta-ta!

    [He goes; presently BOB PRENDERGAST lounges out of the
    church.

Culch. If I could only make a friend of him! (To BOB.) Ah, PRENDERGAST! lovely afternoon, isn’t it?  Delicious breeze!

Bob. (shortly).  Can’t say.  Not had much of it, at present.

Culch. You find these old churches rather oppressive, I daresay.  Er—­will you have a cigarette? [Tenders case.

Bob.  Thanks; got a pipe. (He lights it.) Where’s Miss TROTTER?

Culch. She will be here presently.  By the way, my dear PRENDERGAST, this—­er—­misunderstanding between your sister and her is very unfortunate.

Bob.  I know that well enough.  It’s none of my doing!  And you’ve no reason to complain, at all events!

Culch. Quite so.  Only, you see, we used to be good friends at Constance, and—­er—­until recently—­

Bob.  Used we?  Of course, if you say so, it’s all right.  But what are you driving at exactly?

Culch. All I am driving at is this:  Couldn’t we two—­er—­agree to effect a reconciliation between the two ladies?  So much pleasanter for—­er—­all parties!

Bob.  I daresay.  But how are you going to set about it? I can’t begin.

Culch. Couldn’t you induce your sister to lay aside her—­er—­prejudice against me?  Then I could easily—­

Bob.  Very likely—­but I couldn’t.  I never interfere in my sister’s affairs, and, to tell you the honest truth, I don’t feel particularly inclined to make a beginning on your account. [Strolls away.