She read the line in an undertone, slowly towards the close. Miriam's face showed a sudden and curious emotion. Glancing at the book, she said abruptly:
"No; that's an old mark—a difficulty I had. I'm long past that."
"So am I. 'Amor ch'a null'—'"
Miriam stretched out her hand and took the volume with impatience.
"I'm at the end of this canto," she said, pointing. "Never mind it now. I should have thought you would have gone somewhere such a fine afternoon."
"That sounds remarkably like a hint that patience is near its end."
"I didn't mean it for that."
"Then let us get a carriage and drive somewhere together, we two alone."
Miriam shook her head.
"Because it is Sunday?" asked Cecily, with a mischievous smile, leaning her head aside.