“Oh, it’s large enough; it’s very wonderful. There are things in Rome, then,” she added in a moment, turning and looking at him, “that are very, very beautiful?”
“Lots of them.”
“Some of the most beautiful things in the world?”
“Unquestionably.”
“What are they? which things have most beauty?”
“That is according to taste. I should say the statues.”
“How long will it take to see them all? to know, at least, something about them?”
“You can see them all, as far as mere seeing goes, in a fortnight. But to know them is a thing for one’s leisure. The more time you spend among them, the more you care for them.” After a moment’s hesitation he went on: “Why should you grudge time? It ‘s all in your way, since you are to be an artist’s wife.”
“I have thought of that,” she said. “It may be that I shall always live here, among the most beautiful things in the world!”
“Very possibly! I should like to see you ten years hence.”