"Not more than I am by their waiting so patiently. I thought you would have all been dancing by this time."
"We should have done so, perhaps, had we had wherewith to play dance music—that is a grand oversight."
"It was—but I have remedied it," said the Earl. "See my wisdom! whilst you were abusing me for leaving you by yourselves an hour or so, I was busy rectifying my error. Let me introduce you to my Orpheus, a strolling musician found wandering in the woods, and drawing streams after him by his melodies. Come here, my boy," he said, changing to Italian; "he is a foreigner, and has seen better times, he says; but he will play for the dancers."
The Italian bowed timidly to the ladies and gentlemen, who flocked round him, and answered the questions put by those familiar with his tongue, in a meek voice, as if he feared to offend.
"Gently, do not frighten him," said the Earl; "he is unaccustomed to such scrutiny; see, there is a tear in his eye. Do not be frightened, my boy, they will not harm you; come, what will you have before you play? Sit down, my lad, sit down on this mossy stone. Andrew, bring something for him—some cake and a glass of wine."
"Grazzia tanta; but I am not hungry. If the ladies wish, I will play."
"Presently; but you will at least take some wine?"
"No, I thank you, signore; I do not drink wine—wine is for the happy; in Italia I drank wine, I cannot now."
"Hallo, whom have we here? Where the devil did you pick this rascallion Italian up?"
"Oh! John, how can you frighten him so?" said Lady Florence; "he is a poor foreigner, and he is to play for us."