But indeed, I am most curious to know exactly what she said, and what you said--I, who am never curious about anything!" "Two words tell the story.

I told her I loved her and she answered that she loved me." "Dearest friend, how long it took you to say those two words! You must have hesitated a good deal." "To tell the truth, there was more said than that.

I will not deny the grave imputation.

I spoke of my past life--" "Dio mio! To my daughter! How could you--" The Marchesa raised her hands and let them fall again.
"But why not ?" asked San Miniato, suppressing a smile.

"Have I been such an impossibly bad man that the very mention of my past must shock a young girl--whom I love ?" In the last words he found an opportunity to practise the expression of a little passion, and took advantage of it, well knowing that it would be useful in the immediate future.
"I never said that!" protested the Marchesa.