“And you, dearest lady? You are looking well.” He gave her the right of the street with a dignified gesture, saying at the same time,—
“Will you permit me to accompany you in your walk?”
“Certainly; with the greatest pleasure! But why have you not been to see me? I must give you a good scolding.”
“I have been in Cintra, dear lady.” And he added, momentarily retarding his pace, “Were you not aware of it? It was announced in the ‘Diario de Noticias.’”
“But since your return from Cintra?”
“Ah,” he replied, “I have been very much occupied,—very much occupied, indeed; completely absorbed in the collation of certain documents indispensable to my book, of the title of which I believe you are not ignorant.”
Luiza did not remember it exactly. The counsellor mentioned the title and the headings of some of the chapters, and explained to her the advantages of the work; it was called “A Description of the Principal Cities of Portugal, and their most Celebrated Buildings.”
“It is a guide-book, but a scientific guide-book,” he added. “For instance, you desire to go to Braganza. Without my book, it is probable, I may say certain, that you would return without enjoying a view of any of the local curiosities. With my book, you see all the principal buildings, and store up a fund of knowledge at the same time that you amuse yourself.”
Luiza, who was smiling vaguely under her white veil as he spoke, scarcely heard him.
“What a pleasant day!” she exclaimed.