Alpha Book

You were certainly interested in what he said."
"Interest is not always agreeable. The guillotine, for instance,
possesses the most lively interest for the condemned man at an
execution."
"Your illustrations are startling. I once saw an execution, quite by
accident, and I would rather not think of it. But you can hardly compare
Del Ferice to the guillotine."
"He is as noiseless, as keen and as sure," said Orsino smartly.
"There is such a thing as being too clever," answered Maria Consuelo,
without a smile.
"Is Del Ferice a case of that?"
"No. You are. You say cutting things merely because they come into your
head, though I am sure that you do not always mean them. It is a bad
habit."
"Because it makes enemies, Madame?" Orsino was annoyed by the rebuke.
"That is the least good of good reasons."
"Another, then?"
"It will prevent people from loving you," said Maria Consuelo gravely.
"I never heard that--"
"No? It is true, nevertheless."
"In that case I will reform at once," said Orsino, trying to meet her
eyes.


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