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  some little island, when they might have been so comfortable!

Did you ever explain your sentiments regarding this affair to the Countess?' I inquired.

" 'Doctor!' he protested, 'one cannot be indelicate! Certainly not! Could she not have inferred it from my behavior?'

" 'I am afraid,' said I, 'that her inferences were less flattering. Mine were—permit me to apologize.'

"He began to yelp again. 'She was so beautiful!—so interesting—such a typical American woman—a frank and ignorant young savage! It was a joy to be with her, Doctor; a joy to watch the primitive workings of her mind—and her little efforts at deception I found adorable. She was transparent as a naughty child' He began to blubber.

" 'She appears to have possessed certain rudiments of guile,' I replied. 'You have taken too much for granted. A Parisienne [ 182 ]