Page:The Complete Works of William Makepeace Thackeray Vol.20.pdf/209

Rh stars, what did Giglio know of the heavenly bodies? Once, when on a sweet night in a balcony where they were standing Angelica said, “There is the Bear”— “Where?” says Giglio. “Don’t be afraid, Angelica! if a dozen bears come, I will kill them rather than they shall hurt you.” “Oh, you silly creature!” says she: you are very good, but you are not very wise.” When they looked at the ﬂowers, Giglio was utterly unacquainted

with botany, and had never heard of Linnaeus. When the butterﬂies passed, Giglio knew nothing about them, being as ignorant of entomology as I am of algebra. So you see, Angelica, though she liked Giglio pretty well, despised him on account of his ignorance. I think she probably valued her own learning rather too much; but to think too well of one’s self is the fault of people of all ages and both sexes. Finally, when nobody else was there, Angelica liked her cousin well enough.

King Valoroso was very delicate in health, and withal so fond of good dinners (which were prepared for him by his French cook, Marmitonio), that it was supposed he could not live long. Now the idea of anything happening to the