Volume IV Part 84 (2/2)
”I a with your husband?”
”You will see hilad to present his respects to you”
”I should not at all care for it myself, madam; there are old quarrels between us which I do not want to renew, so, o yet, sit down”
”Pardon o”
At these words Irene ran and barred the way--not like a fierceled look of innocence, fear, and hope, of which girls know the effect so well I felt I could not go
”Let h, fair Irene,” said I, ”we o before you have seen my father:”
The words were spoken so tenderly that our lips irl who implores with a kiss?
I took a chair, and Irene, proud of her victory, sat on my knee and covered me with kisses
I took it into my head to task the countess where and when Irene was born
”At Mantua,” said she, ”three months after I left Venice”
”And when did you leave Venice?”
”Six months after I met you”
”That is a curious coincidence, and if we had been tenderly acquainted you hter, and I should believe you, and think that my affection for her was purely paternal”
”Your ood, sir, I wonder at that”
”I uess yourfor Irene I a to do so, but she will be the loser”
This conversation had silenced Irene, but she soon took courage, and said she was like me
”No, no,” I answered, ”if you were like me you would not be so pretty”
”I don't think so; I think you are very handsome”
”You flatter me”
”Stay to dinner with us”
”No, if I stayed I ht fall in love with you, and that would be a pity, as your ,” said the countess, ”you ood conscience”
”We will see what can be done”