"All ready, father," said Lucy, after a five minutes' rest. "I'm sure we are equal to another climb now."
The next flight of stairs was very narrow. It led to another balcony around the top of the dome.
"Do not think this is all," said Mr. Gray. "We can go higher yet, for we have not reached the lantern."
After much puffing and gasping for breath, and the climbing of more narrow stairs, they found themselves in a large room inside the lantern. As they looked out of the windows in that lofty place, a wonderful view was spread before their eyes. Below was the square, and leading out from it were many archways with curved tops, like the one through which the children first entered the church. The palace of the Pope was at hand, with its wonderful library and art treasures.
Beyond, across the Tiber, lay the great city, with its palaces, fountains, temples, and the ruins of the greatest and finest buildings in the world; some of them two thousand years old.
"I can look far out upon the sea that Columbus first sailed," exclaimed Arthur. "Indeed, it seems as if I could almost see Spain, where he went to get help. You know the story of Columbus, don't you, Beppo?"
The Italian lad shook his head. No, but he wished to hear it. Would Arthur tell him the story some day?
Arthur said he would be glad to do so, for, although Columbus was an Italian, he felt that he belonged to America. Where would he be now, if Columbus had not discovered the new world? Who should say?