"Some other time," said Stella.
"Thanks," he said.
"Uncle is very tired to-night; he has just come from London."
"Indeed!" said Jasper, with well-feigned surprise. "I have been to London also. That reminds me, I have ventured to bring some music for you—for your uncle!" and he drew a book from his pocket.
Stella took it, and uttered a little exclamation of pleasure. It was a volume of Italian songs; some of them familiar to her, all of them good.
"How nice, how thoughtful of you!" she said. "Some of them are old favorites of mine. Uncle will be so pleased. Thank you very much."
He put his hand to his mouth.
"I am glad there are some songs you like," he said. "I thought that perhaps you would prefer Italian to English?"
"Yes—yes," said Stella, turning over the leaves. "Very much prefer it."
"Perhaps some night you will allow me to hear some of them?"