"No," said Dick. "I really can not. I really must stay."
"What! must!"
"Yes, must!"
The Senator sighed.
.
THE FAITHFUL ONE!--DARTS, DISTRACTION, LOVE'S VOWS, OVERPOWERING SCENE AT THE MEETING OF TWO FOND ONES.--COMPLETE BREAK-DOWN OF THE HISTORIAN.
About a month after the departure of the Senator and Buttons from Milan, Dick reappeared upon the scene at Rome, in front of the little church which had borne so prominent a part in his fortunes; true to his love, to his hopes, to his promises, with undiminished ardor and unabated resolution. He found the Padre Liguori there, who at once took him to his room in a building adjoining the church.
"Welcome!" said he, in a tone of the deepest pleasure. "Welcome! It has been more than a passing fancy, then."
"It is the only real purpose of my life, I assure you."