RUSKIN AND THE PHILISTINES
They reached the hotel and Cæsar introduced his friend to Laura.
“He is an admirer of yours.”
“A respectful admirer... from a distance,” explained Kennedy.
“But are there admirers of that sort?” asked Laura, laughing.
“Here you have one,” said the Englishman. “I have known you by sight ever since I came to Rome, and have never had the pleasure of speaking to you until today.”
“And have you been here a long time?”
“Nearly two years.”
“And do you like Rome; eh?”
“I should say so! At first, I didn’t, I must admit. It was a disappointment to me. I had dreamed so much about Rome!” and Kennedy talked of the books and guides he had read about the Eternal City.