"Yes," said Leonora. "You see I did. I am not always in earnest."
"Is it rude to ask how one distinguishes between your excellency in earnest and your excellency in fun?" inquired Batiscombe, glad enough to turn the conversation to a jest, for he judged Leonora to be rather imprudent. Indeed, he wondered how she could have said what she had, unless it were from a wish to face out the situation.
"You ought to be able to see," she answered, laughing lightly, "but when you cannot, perhaps I will tell you."
"Pray do," said he. "I am very stupid about such things,—but then, I am always in earnest, even when I want to be funny. Perhaps you might think me most diverting when I am most in earnest."
"No," said Leonora, "I should not think that. I should think you might be very unpleasant when you are in earnest—at least, from the things you write."
"That is a doubtful compliment," remarked Julius, smiling.
"Is it? I cannot imagine anything more delightful than having the power to be as unpleasant as you want to be."
"Is there anything I can do for you, Marchesa? I should be most happy, I am sure,—short of poisoning your enemies, as you suggested the other day."
"You ought not to draw the line," she said with a laugh.
"Oh, very well. I will do the poisoning too, if you wish it."