"Half a century, at least!" "Do I ?" asked the Count, delighted by her manner and quite without suspicion.
"Yes.

You look twenty years younger." "About ten years old ?" suggested San Miniato with a smile.
"Oh no! I did not mean that.

You look about twenty, I should say." "I am charmed," he answered, without wincing.
"It may be only those beautiful new clothes you have on," said Beatrice with a sweet smile.

"Clothes make so much difference with a man." San Miniato did not show any annoyance, but he made no direct answer and turned to the Marchesa.
"Marchesa gentilissima," he said, "you liked my last excursion, or were good enough to say that you liked it.

Would you be horrified if I proposed another for this evening--but not so far, this time ?" "Absolutely horrified," answered the Marchesa.