It is the
cheapest of your amusements."
The Count reflected for a moment.
"Then you wish to return to Rome," he said softly; "you take interest
here?"
"Why yes," I said, "I'm not a barbarian. I'm from Illinois."
"Then why do you go away?"
"Our time is so limited."
"Ah, Mees Wick, you have all of your life." The Italians certainly have
exquisite voices.
"That is true," I said thoughtfully.
"Many young American ladies now live always in Italy," pursued Count
Filgiatti.
"Is that so?" I replied pleasantly. "They are domiciled here with their
parents?"
"Y--yes. Sometimes it is like that. And sometimes----"
"Sometimes they are working in the studios. I know. A delightful life it
must be."
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.
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