Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 1 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/361

 not accuse yourself later of having wasted the precious season."

Mary looked at him with her large smile and went to the window again. "I expect to enjoy it. Don't be afraid; I 'm not wasteful."

"I'm afraid we're not so very qualified, you know," said Mrs. Hudson. "We're told that you must know so much, that you must have read so many books. Our taste has not highly been cultivated. When I was a young lady at school I remember I had a medal with a pink ribbon for 'proficiency in ancient history'—the seven kings, or is it the seven hills? and Quintus Curtius and Julius Caesar, and—and that period, you know. I believe I have my medal somewhere in a drawer now, but I 've forgotten all about the kings. After Roderick came to Italy we tried to pursue a course. Last winter Mary used to read 'Corinne' to me in the evenings, and in the mornings she used to read another book to herself. What was it, Mary, that book that was so long, you know in fifteen volumes?"

"It was Sismondi's 'Italian Republics, Mary honestly answered.

Rowland showed, for all his precautions, an amusement; whereat the girl coloured. "And did you push quite through?"

"Yes, and began another—a shorter one—Roscoe's 'Leo the Tenth.

"Did you find them interesting?"

"Oh yes."

"Do you like history?"

"Some of it." 327