"Indeed!"
"Yes; still it is one that concerns yourself also."
"How so, mon ami? Come, tell me this mystery about which I know nothing and you know everything; but first here are some excellent cigarettes--Russian, my friend, not Italian. Dame! the tobacco of this country, it is horrible. Will you have some wine?"
"No, thank you, Beltrami, but I will be glad to smoke."
"Bene! help yourself."
He pushed the box towards me, and, after I had taken a cigarette, followed my example, then, throwing himself into a chair near me, he nodded his head to show that he was ready to hear what I had to say.
"Marchese!" I said, after some slight hesitation, "I think we are old enough friends to admit of my speaking to you freely."
"Eh! certainly!"
"I trust you will not be offended."
Beltrami blew a wreath of smoke, and laying back his handsome head on the cushions of the chair, laughed heartily.