"Good morning, madam," he replied gravely.
"You look quite like a gentleman this morning," she continued, laughing lightly. "Or, no, rather like a mountain bandit of Italy."
"I could be either if I chose," he replied again, as gravely as he had spoken before.
"I do not doubt it. I have been giving you considerable thought since I talked with you here last night. Come inside. You haven't had your breakfast, I suppose?"
"No, madam."
"Then you shall breakfast with me. I was about to eat mine when I remembered you, and sent for you."
"Madam is most kind."
She led the way into the house, where a table was spread with good things, well cooked, too, they appeared to be; and she pointed toward a chair at the opposite side of the table.
"Sit there," she said. "I declare, we are quite domestic."
"So it would appear, madam. I am afraid that you are doing me too much honor, for one who has been so short a time among you."