For, though I grant that nothing is more exquisite than the politeness of your French marquis of the old regime, nothing more frankly gracious than the cordial address of a high-bred English gentleman, nothing more kindly prepossessing than the genial good-nature of some patriarchal German, who will condescend to forget his sixteen quarterings in the pleasure of doing you a favour,--yet these specimens of the suavity of their several nations are rare; whereas blandness and polish are common attributes with your Italian.
They seem to have been immemorially handed down to him, from ancestors emulating the urbanity of Caesar, and refined by the grace of Horace.
"Dr.Riccabocca consents to dine with us," cried the parson, hastily.
"If Madame permit ?" said the Italian, bowing over the hand extended to him, which, however, he forbore to take, seeing it was already full of the watch.
"I am only sorry that the trout must be quite spoiled," began Mrs.Dale, plaintively.
"It is not the trout one thinks of when one dines with Mrs.Dale," said the infamous dissimulator.
"But I see James coming to say that dinner is ready," observed the parson.
"He said that three-quarters of an hour ago, Charles dear," retorted Mrs.Dale, taking the arm of Dr.Riccabocca..