"I always loved poetry, marm," said the Senator, desperately.
"Ah--good--nais--eccelente. I am plees at zat," cried the Countess, with much animation. "You would loafe it moar eef you knew Italiano. Your langua ees not sufficiente musicale for poatry."
"It is not so soft a language as the _I_-talian."
"Ah--no--not so soft. Very well. And what theenka you of ze Italiano?"
"The sweetest language I ever heard in all my born days."
"Ah, now--you hev not heard much of ze Italiano, my Senator."
"I have heard you speak often," said the Senator, naively.
"Ah, you compliment! I sot you was aboove flattera."
And the Countess playfully tapped his arm with her little fan.
"What Ingelis poet do you loafe best?"