"But surely," suggested he, "in Italy, in summer, it is its

bounden duty to be a trifle warm?"

The Duchessa smiled.

"You like it? So do I. But what the country really needs is

rain."

"Then let us hope," said he, "that the country's real needs may

remain unsatisfied."

The Duchessa tittered.

"Think of the poor farmers," she said reproachfully.

"It's vain to think of them," he answered. "'T is an

ascertained fact that no condition of the weather ever contents

the farmers."

The Duchessa laughed.

"Ah, well," she consented, "then I 'll join in your hope that

the fine weather may last. I--I trust," she was so good as to

add, "that you're not entirely uncomfortable at Villa

Floriano?"

"I dare n't allow myself to speak of Villa Floriano," he

replied. "I should become dithyrambic. It's too adorable."

"It has a pretty garden, and--I remember--you admired the

view," the Duchessa said. "And that old Marietta? I trust she

does for you fairly well?" Her raised eyebrows expressed

benevolent (or was it in some part humorous?) concern.

"She does for me to perfection. That old Marietta is a

priceless old jewel," Peter vowed.

"A good cook?" questioned the Duchessa.

"A good cook--but also a counsellor and friend. And with a

flow of language!"

The Duchessa laughed again.

"Oh, these Lombard peasant women. They are untiring

chatterers."

"I 'm not sure," Peter felt himself in justice bound to

confess, "that Marietta is n't equally untiring as a listener.

In fact, there's only one respect in which she has disappointed

me."

"Oh--?" said the Duchessa. And her raised eyebrows demanded

particulars.

"She swears she does n't wear a dagger in her garter--has never

heard of such a practice," Peter explained. "And now," he

whispered to his soul, "we 'll see whether our landlady is up

in modern literature."

Still again the Duchessa laughed. And, apparently, she was up

in modern literature. At any rate-"Those are Lombard country-girls along the coast," she reminded

him. "We are peaceful inland folk, miles from the sea. But

you had best be on your guard, none the less." She shook her

head, in warning. "Through all this country-side that old

Marietta is reputed to be a witch."

"If she's a witch," said Peter, undismayed, "her usefulness

will be doubled. I shall put her to the test directly I get

home."




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024