“Reluctant? Signora, pardon me if I do not understand!”
“I mean,” she continued, still regarding me steadily, though a faint blush warmed the clear pallor of her delicate complexion, “that you do not really like us women; you say pretty things to us, and you try to be amiable in our company, but you are in truth averse to our ways—you are sceptical—you think we are all hypocrites.”
I laughed a little coldly.
“Really, signora, your words place me in a very awkward position. Were I to tell you my real sentiments—”
She interrupted me with a touch of her fan on my arm, and smiled gravely.
“You would say, ‘Yes, you are right, signora. I never see one of your sex without suspecting treachery.’ Ah, Signor Conte, we women are indeed full of faults, but nothing can blind our instinct!” She paused, and her brilliant eyes softened as she added gently, “I pray your marriage may be a very happy one.”
I was silent. I was not even courteous enough to thank her for the wish. I was half angered that this girl should have been able to probe my thoughts so quickly and unerringly. Was I so bad an actor after all? I glanced down at her as she leaned lightly on my arm.
“Marriage is a mere comedietta,” I said, abruptly and harshly. “We have seen it acted to-night. In a few days I shall play the part of the chief buffoon—in other words, the husband.”
And I laughed. My young companion looked startled, almost frightened, and over her fair face there flitted an expression of something like aversion. I did not care—why should I?—and there was no time for more words between us, for we had reached the outer vestibule of the theater.
My wife’s carriage was drawn up at the entrance—my wife herself was stepping into it. I assisted her, and also her two friends, and then stood with uncovered head at the door wishing them all the “felicissima notte.” Nina put her tiny jeweled hand through the carriage window—I stooped and kissed it lightly. Drawing it back quickly, she selected a white gardenia from her bouquet and gave it to me with a bewitching smile.