“Mind, body, and estate?”
She made no reply, and I saw my return to flippancy wounded her. So I rose and took my leave. Johnny Carr went with me.
“Things look queer, eh, old man?” said he. “But the President will pull through in spite of the colonel and his signorina.”
“Johnny,” said I, “you hurt my feelings; but, still, I will give you a piece of advice.”
“Drive on,” said Johnny.
“Marry Donna Antonia,” said I. “She’s a good girl and a clever girl, and won’t let you get drunk or robbed.”
“By Jove, that’s not a bad idea!” said he. “Why don’t you do it yourself?”
“Because I’m like you, Johnny—an ass,” I replied, and left him wondering why, if he was an ass and I was an ass, one ass should marry Donna Antonia, and not both or neither.
As I went along I bought the Gazette, the government organ, and read therein:
“At a Cabinet Council this afternoon, presided over by his Excellency, we understand that the arrangements connected with the national debt formed the subject of discussion. The resolutions arrived at are at present strictly confidential, but we have the best authority for stating that the measures to be adopted will have the effect of materially alleviating the present tension, and will afford unmixed satisfaction to the immense majority of the citizens of Aureataland. The President will once again be hailed as the saviour of his country.”