That will make a difference. But
let us talk of you. You are very--how shall I say it?--very eccentric."
"Is that what your mother told you?"
"To tell the truth, she spoke of you as a great original. But aren't all
Englishmen eccentric? All except that one!" and the Countess pointed to
poor Stanmer, in his corner of the sofa.
"Oh, I know just what he is," I said.
"He's as quiet as a lamb--he's like all the world," cried the Countess.
"Like all the world--yes. He is in love with you."
She looked at me with sudden gravity. "I don't object to your saying
that for all the world--but I do for him."
"Well," I went on, "he is peculiar in this: he is rather afraid of you."
Instantly she began to smile; she turned her face toward Stanmer. He had
seen that we were talking about him; he coloured and got up--then came
toward us.
"I like men who are afraid of nothing," said our hostess.
"I know what you want," I said to Stanmer. "You want to know what the
Signora Contessa says about you."
Stanmer looked straight into her face, very gravely. "I don't care a
straw what she says."
"You are almost a match for the Signora Contessa," I answered. "She
declares she doesn't care a pin's head what you think.
Pages:
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32