But before I could think of anything to say--it was such a difficult juncture--the Count went on.
"But in the Italian idea it is better first one thing to know--the agreement of the American signorina.

If she will not, the Italian nobleman is too much disgrace.

It is not good to offer the name and the title if the lady say no, I do not want--take that poor thing away." How artless it was! Yet my sympathy ebbed immediately.

Not my curiosity, however.

Perhaps at this or an earlier point I should have gone blushing away and forever pondered in secret the problem of Count Filgiatti's intentions.