Part 9 (1/2)
The Signora did not have to wait long. In less time than it takes to tell this d.i.c.k stood with his best bow before her. How he congratulated himself on having studied Italian! The lady reclined on a sofa. She was about thirty, and undeniably pretty. A guitar lay at her feet. Books were scattered around--French novels, and manuals of devotion. Intelligence beamed from her large, expressive eyes. How delightful! Here was an adventure, perhaps a fair conquest.
”Good-evening, Signor!”
”I kiss the hands to your ladys.h.i.+p,” said d.i.c.k, mustering a sentence from Ollendorff.
”Pardon me for this liberty.”
”I a.s.sure you it gives me the greatest happiness, and I am wholly at your service.”
”I have understood that you are an American.”
”I am, Signora.”
”And this is your first visit to Naples?”
”My first, Signora.”
”How does Naples please you?”
”Exceedingly. The beautiful city, the crowded streets, the delightful views--above all, the most charming ladies.”
A bow--a slight flush pa.s.sed over the lady's face, and d.i.c.k whispered to himself--
”Well put, d.i.c.k, my boy--deuced well put for a beginner.”
”To come to the point,” said the lady, with sigh.--(”Ah, here we have it!” thought d.i.c.k--the point--blessed moment!)--”I would not have ventured to trouble you for any slight cause, Signor, but this nearly concerns myself.”--(Keep down--our heart, murmured d.i.c.k--cool, you dog--cool!)--”My happiness and my tenderest feelings--”(d.i.c.k's suffused eyes expressed deep sympathy.)--”I thought of you--”
”Ah, Signora!”
”And not being acquainted with you--”(What a shame!--_aside_)--I concluded to waive all formality”--(Social forms are generally a nuisance to ardent souls--_aside_)--”and to communicate at once with you.”
”Signora, let me a.s.sure you that this is the happiest moment in my life.”
The Signora looked surprised, but went on in a sort of preoccupied way:
”I want to know if you can tell me any thing about my brother.”
”Brother!”
”Who is now in America.”
d.i.c.k opened his eyes.
”I thought that perhaps you could tell me how he is. I have not heard from him for two years, and feel very anxious.”
d.i.c.k sat for a moment surprised at this unexpected turn. The lady's anxiety about her brother he could see was not feigned. So he concealed his disappointment, and in his most engaging manner informed her that he had not seen her brother; but if she could tell him his name, and the place where he was living, he might be able to tell something about him.