An old bronzed husbandman, too, was smoking his short earthen pipe, near the window sill.
"What a study for Lanfranc!" said the happy wife, as she took up a burnt stick, and sketched his dried visage to the life.
The old man regarded his portrait on the wall, with intense satisfaction; and commenced dilating on what he had been in youth.
How different, thought Sir Henry, is all this from the conduct of a well bred English girl! yet how natural and amiable does it appear in Acmé! With what an endearing manner--with what sweet frankness--does this young foreigner wile away--what would otherwise have been--a tedious evening in an uncomfortable inn!
As the night advanced, George brought out the guitar; and Acmé warbled to its accompaniment like a fairy bird.
It was a late hour, before Delmé ventured to remind the songstress, that they must prosecute their journey early on the following morning.
"I will take your hint," said Acmé, as she shook his hand, and tripped out of the room; "buona sera! miei Signori."
"She is a dear creature!" said Delmé,
"She is indeed!" replied his brother, "and I am a fortunate man. Henry! I think I shall be jealous of you, one of these days. I do believe she loves you as well as she does me!"
The brothers retired.