Part 2 (2/2)
”Why, once at the amphitheatre. You were walking ahead, and I sat down to rest, and he came and joined me. He left before you came back.”
”He must have been following us, then.”
”Yes. And another time in the picture-gallery; and yesterday in a shop; and this morning at the Cathedral.”
”The Cathedral!”
”Yes, Kitty. You know we all went, and Lady Dalrymple would not go up.
So Ethel and I went up. And when we got up to the top I walked about, and Ethel sat down to admire the view. And, you know, I found myself off at a little distance, when suddenly I saw Count Girasole. And then, you know, he--he--proposed.”
Mrs. Willoughby sat silent for some time.
”And what did you say to him?” she asked at length.
”Why, what else could I say?”
”What else than _what_?”
”I don't see why you should act _so_ like a grand inquisitor, Kitty.
You really make me feel quite nervous,” said Minnie, who put her little rosy-tipped fingers to one of her eyes, and attempted a sob, which turned out a failure.
”Oh, I only asked you what you told him, you know.”
”Well,” said Minnie, gravely, ”I told him, you know, that I was awfully grateful to him, and that I'd give any thing if I could to express my grat.i.tude. And then, you know--oh, he speaks such darling broken English--he called me his 'mees,' and tried to make a pretty speech, which was so mixed with Italian that I didn't understand one single word. By-the-way, Kitty, isn't it odd how every body here speaks Italian, even the children?”
”Yes, very odd; but, Minnie dear, I want to know what you told him.”
”Why, I told him that I didn't know, you know.”
”And then?”
”And then he took my hand. Now, Kitty, you're unkind. I really _can not_ tell you all this.”
”Yes, but I only ask so as to advise you. I want to know how the case stands.”
”Well, you know, he was so urgent--”
”Yes?”
”And so handsome--”
”Well?”
”And then, you know, he saved my life--didn't he, now? You must acknowledge that much, mustn't you?”
”Oh yes.”
”Well--”
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