Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 1 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/342

 "You 're the brave one, when one thinks of it! The padrona 's to come?"

"I 've already waited some minutes; I expect her from moment to moment."

"Meanwhile we're alone?" And she glanced at the duskier background.

"Unless Stenterello counts," said Rowland.

"Oh, he knows my secrets—unfortunate brute!"

She sat silent a while, looking into the firelight. Then at last, glancing at Rowland, "Voyons! say something pleasant!" she exclaimed.

"I 've been very happy to hear of your engagement."

"Oh, I don't mean that! I have heard that so often, only since breakfast, that it has lost all sense. I mean some of those unexpected charming things that you said to me a month ago at Saint Cecilia's."

"I did n't please you then," said Rowland. "I was afraid I had n't."

"Ah, such things occur to you? Then why have n't I seen you since?"

"Really I don't know." And he hesitated for an explanation. "I think I must have called but you 've never been at home."

"You were careful to choose the wrong times. You have a way with a poor girl! You sit down and state to her that she 's a person with whom a respectable young man can't associate without contamination; your friend 's a very superior person, you 're very careful of his morals, you wish him to know none but nice people, and you beg me therefore to desist. You request me to take these suggestions to heart and to act upon them as promptly as 308