It probably hung, once upon a time, at the belt of one of those corporals, to whom I owe the honour of your acquaintance.

Colomba thinks it so precious that she has asked my leave to give it to you, and I hardly know if I ought to grant it, for I am afraid you'll laugh at us!" "The dagger is beautiful," said Miss Lydia.

"But it is a family weapon, I can not accept it!" "It's not my father's dagger," exclaimed Colomba eagerly; "it was given to one of mother's ancestors by King Theodore.

If the signorina will accept it, she will give us great pleasure." "Come, Miss Lydia," said Orso, "don't scorn a king's dagger!" To a collector, relics of King Theodore are infinitely more precious than those of the most powerful of monarchs.

The temptation was a strong one, and already Miss Lydia could see the effect the weapon would produce laid out on a lacquered table in her room at St.James's Place.
"But," said she, taking the dagger with the hesitating air of one who longs to accept, and casting one of her most delightful smiles on Colomba, "dear Signorina Colomba.