"Oh, he?" she said hastily. "He speaks no English, and he is sensitive about it. He talks little in any case. These scientists, you know."
Hilmi Bey left the Italian's side, and sauntered over to us.
"A beautiful old room," he said. "Has it any history?"
"It's the oldest part of the present building," I told him. "I understand it represents a reconstruction during Elizabeth's reign."
"Ah! Faultless taste, isn't?" He swung around on me. "They tell me you are an architect. You must appreciate such a good job."
The fellow spoke very pleasantly, and yet there was something about him that aroused in me a continual desire to punch his face.
"You can't beat the old people who worked slowly and lovingly," I answered, forcing myself to be civil.
"That is a gorgeous fireplace," said the Countess.
"Ah, yes," he agreed, with his absurdly broad pronunciation. "Rather a quaint verse there, too, I see. How does it run?"
He picked it out slowly, with some help from the Russian girl.