The handsome Signor Carminatti shot incendiary glances at Mlle. de Sandoval; but she remained scornful; so one evening, as the Dawson family came out of the dining-room, the Neapolitan waved his hand toward them and said:
“I protestante della simpatia.”
Cæsar made much of this phrase, because it was apt, and he took it that Carminatti considered the ladies protestants against friendliness, because they had paid no attention to the charms that he displayed in their honour.
CONSEQUENCES OF THE RAIN
Two or three days later Mme. Dawson bowed to Cæsar on passing him in the hall, and asked him:
“Aren’t you Spanish?”
“Yes, madam.”
“But don’t you speak French?”
“Very little.”
“My daughter is Spanish too.”