The Count looked at the carpet. "Ah, signorina, you misunderstand my poor English," he said; "she means quite different."
It was not coquetry which induced me to cast down my eyes.
"The American young lady will sometimes contract alliance."
"Oh!" I exclaimed.
"Yes. And if it is a good arrangimento it is always quite quite happy."
"We are said," I observed thoughtfully, "to be able, as a people, to accommodate ourselves to circumstances."
"You approve this idea! Signorina, you are so amiable, it is heavenly."
"I see no objection to it," I said. "It is entirely a matter of taste."
"And the American ladies have much taste," observed Count Filgiatti blandly.
"I'm afraid it isn't infallible," I said, "but it is charming to hear it approved."