"Also she perhaps quickly go away. The Americans are so instantaneous. Maybe my vision fade like—like anything."
"In a perspective of tourists' coupons," I suggested.
For a moment there was silence, through which we could hear the scrubbing-brush of the chambermaid on the marble hall of the first floor. It seemed a final note of desolation.
"If I must speak of myself believe me it is not a nobody the Count Filgiatti," he went on at last. "Two Cardinals I have had in my family and one is second cousin to the Pope."
"Fancy the Pope's having relations!" I said, "but I suppose there is nothing to prevent it."
"Nothing at all. In my family I have had many ambassadors, but that was a little formerly. Once a Filgiatti married with a Medici—but these things are better for Mistra and Madame Wick to inquire."
"Poppa is very much interested in antiquities, but I'm afraid there will hardly be time, Count Filgiatti."
"Listen, I will say all! Always they have been much too large, the families Filgiatti. So now perhaps we are a little reduce. But there is still somethings-ah—signorina, can you pardon that I speak these things, but the time is so small—there is fifteen hundred lire yearly revenue to my pocket."
"About three hundred dollars," I observed sympathetically. Count Filgiatti nodded with the smile of a conscious capitalist. "Then of course," I said, "you won't marry for money." I'm afraid this was a little unkind, but I was quite sure the Count would perceive no irony, and said it for my own amusement.
"Jamais! In Italy you will find that never! The Italian gives always the heart before—before——"