"Everybody in Italy can paint. It is as common—as common as lizards! There are dozens of people in Lucca who can paint—a whole villa—ceilings, walls—what you like. Nobody thinks anything at all about them. But Italian girls are very clever also! There were two girls in Lucca—Marchesine—the best family in Lucca. They got all the prizes at the Licéo, and then they went to Pisa to the University; and one of them was a Doctor of Law; and when they came home, all the street in which they lived and their palazzo were lit up. And they were very pretty too!"
"And you—did you go to the Licéo, Felicia?"
"No! I had never any education—none, none, none! But I could get it, if I wanted," said the voice, defiantly.
"Of course you could. I have asked your mother to stay with us till
Christmas. You might get some lessons in Carlisle. We could send you in."
Felicia, however, made no response to this at all, and Victoria felt that her proposal had fallen flat. But, after a minute or two, she heard:
"I should like—to learn—to ride!"
Much emphasis on the last word; accompanied by nodding of the fantastic little head.
"Well, we shall see!" laughed Victoria, indulgently.
"And then—I would go out—with Lord Tatham!" said Felicia. "Oh, but he is too divine on horseback! There were some Italian cavalry officers at Lucca. I used to run to the window every time to see them pass by. But he is nobler—he is handsomer!"
Victoria, taken by surprise, wondered if it would not be well to administer a little snubbing to compliments so unabashed. She tried. But Felicia interrupted her: