The precise, jocose, biting report of his observations offended Laura and her lady friends.
“Why do you hate Italians so much?” the Countess Brenda asked him one day.
“But I don’t hate them.”
“He speaks equally badly of everybody,” explained Laura. “He has a bad character.”
“Is it because you have had an unhappy life?” the Countess asked, interested.
“No, I don’t think so,” said Cæsar, feeling like smiling; instead of which, and without knowing why and without any reason, he put on a sad look.
EXERCISES IN HYPOCRISY
Laura, with her feminine perspicacity, noted that from that day on the Countess looked at Cæsar a great deal and with melancholy smiles; and not only the mother appeared interested, but the daughter too.
“I don’t know what it is in my brother,” thought Laura; “women are attracted to him just because he pays no attention to them. And he knows it; yes, indeed he does, even thought he acts as if he were unconscious of it. Both mother and daughter taken with him! Carminatti has been routed.”
The Countess quickly discovered a great liking for Laura, and as they both had friends in good Roman society, they made calls together. Laura was astonished enough to hear Cæsar say that if there was no objection, he would go with them.