She looked at me a moment, and said:

"We have ruined you among us."

"Mind, body, and estate?"

She made no reply, and I saw my return to flippancy wounded her. So I
rose and took my leave. Johnny Carr went with me.

"Things look queer, eh, old man?" said he. "But the President will
pull through in spite of the colonel and his signorina."

"Johnny," said I, "you hurt my feelings; but, still, I will give you a
piece of advice."

"Drive on," said Johnny.

"Marry Donna Antonia," said I. "She's a good girl and a clever girl,
and won't let you get drunk or robbed."

"By Jove, that's not a bad idea!" said he. "Why don't you do it
yourself?"

"Because I'm like you, Johnny--an ass," I replied, and left him
wondering why, if he was an ass and I was an ass, one ass should marry
Donna Antonia, and not both or neither.

As I went along I bought the _Gazette_, the government organ, and read
therein: