"T-t-t-t! What a pity!" "And when I came to my senses--I had fainted, you understand--I was sitting on the old straw chair and papa was holding my hands in his and calling me his angel! _Capperi_! But it was worth while.

You can imagine the situation when he called me an angel! It is the first time I have ever fainted, mamma--you have no idea--it was so curious!" "Ah, my dear, it must have softened his heart!" cried Maria Luisa.

"If I could only faint away like that once in a while! Who knows?
He might be converted.

But what would you have ?" The signora glanced down sadly at her figure, which certainly suggested no such weakness as she seemed to desire.

"Well, Lucia," she continued, "and then ?" "Yes, I talked to him, I implored him, I told him I should probably faint again, and, indeed, I felt like it.