He had, therefore, given him the most friendly reception, and overwhelmed him with offers of service; further, within a very few days, he came to return his visit.
The colonel, who had just dined, was comfortably stretched out upon his sofa, and very nearly asleep.

His daughter was singing at a broken-down piano; Orso was turning over the leaves of her music, and gazing at the fair singer's shoulders and golden hair.

The prefect was announced, the piano stopped, the colonel got up, rubbed his eyes, and introduced the prefect to his daughter.
"I do not introduce M.della Rebbia to you," said he, "for no doubt you know him already." "Is this gentleman Colonel della Rebbia's son ?" said the prefect, looking a trifle embarrassed.
"Yes, monsieur," replied Orso.
"I had the honour of knowing your father." The ordinary commonplaces of conversation were soon exhausted.

The colonel, in spite of himself, yawned pretty frequently.

Orso, as a liberal, did not care to converse with a satellite of the Government.
The burden of the conversation fell on Miss Lydia.