"
"My loquacity, sir, did you understand it," said Mr. Fett, with an
air of fine reproach, "springs less from the desire to instruct than
from the ebullience of my feelings at so happy a rencounter."
"Well, that's very handsomely said," I acknowledged. "Oh, sir, I
have a deal to tell, and to hear! But we will talk anon.
Meanwhile"--he touched my arm as he led the way, and I fell into step
beside him--"permit me to note a change in the lady since I last had
the pleasure of meeting her--a distinct lessening of _hauteur_--a
touch of (shall I say?) womanliness. Would it be too much to ask if
you are running away with her?"
"It would," said I. "As a matter of fact she is in Genoa to seek her
brother, the Prince Camillo."
"Nevertheless," he insisted, and with an impertinence I could not
rebuke (for fear of drawing the attention of the passers-by, who were
numerous)--"nevertheless I divine that you have much either to tell
me or conceal."
He, at any rate, was not reticent. On our way he informed me that
his companions in the lodgings were a troupe of strolling players
among whom he held the important role of _capo comico_.
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