I have devoted myself exclusively to the amassing of wealth, understanding thoroughly that gold is the key to all things, even to woman's love; if I desired that latter commodity, which I do not.

I fear that I scarcely know a fair face from a plain one--I never was attracted by women, and now at my age, with my settled habits, I am not likely to alter my opinion concerning them--and I frankly confess those opinions are the reverse of favorable." Ferrari laughed.

"You remind me of Fabio!" he said.

"He used to talk in that strain before he was married--though he was young and had none of the experiences which may have made you cynical, conte! But he altered his ideas very rapidly--and no wonder!" "Is his wife so very lovely then ?" I asked.
"Very! Delicately, daintily beautiful.

But no doubt you will see her for yourself--as a friend of her late husband's father, you will call upon her, will you not ?" "Why should I ?" I said, gruffly--"I have no wish to meet her! Besides, an inconsolable widow seldom cares to receive visitors--I shall not intrude upon her sorrows!" Never was there a better move than this show of utter indifference I affected.