"
"That is an exaggeration. Besides, one cannot say a true thing too
often."
"How you run on, Madame!"
"And you--to tell me to my face that I am not serious! It is unheard of.
Is that the way you talk to your compatriots?"
"It would not be true. But they would contradict me, as you do. They
wish to be thought gay."
"Do they? I would like to know them."
"Nothing is easier. Will you allow me the honour of undertaking the
matter?"
They had reached the door of Madame d'Aragona's hotel. She stood still
and looked curiously at Orsino.
"Certainly not," she answered, rather coldly. "It would be asking too
much of you--too much of society, and far too much of me. Thanks.
Good-bye."
"May I come and see you?" asked Orsino.
He knew very well that he had gone too far, and his voice was correctly
contrite.
"I daresay we shall meet somewhere," she answered, entering the hotel.
CHAPTER IV.
The rage of speculation was at its height in Rome. Thousands, perhaps
hundreds of thousands of persons were embarked in enterprises which soon
afterwards ended in total ruin to themselves and in very serious injury
to many of the strongest financial bodies in the country.
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