speaking of certain _customs_ belonging to this country, some of which
are not such as a Government official would like to see."

He emphasized the word _customs_, and put on as grave an expression
as his features could assume. Soon after he got up and took his leave,
bearing with him Miss Lydia's promise that she would go and call on his
wife at the prefecture.

When he had departed: "I had to come to Corsica," said Miss Lydia, "to
find out what a prefect is like. This one strikes me as rather amiable."

"For my part," said Orso, "I can't say as much. He strikes me as a very
queer individual, with his airs of emphasis and mystery."

The colonel was extremely drowsy. Miss Lydia cast a glance in his
direction, and, lowering her voice:

"And I," she said, "do not think him so mysterious as you pretend; for I
believe I understood him!"

"Then you are clear-sighted indeed, Miss Nevil. If you have seen any wit
in what he has just said you must certainly have put it there yourself."

"It is the Marquis de Mascarille, I think, who says that, M.
della Rebbia. But would you like me to give you a proof of my
clear-sightedness? I am something of a witch, and I can read the
thoughts of people I have seen only twice."

"Good heavens! you alarm me. If you really can read my thoughts I don't
know whether I should be glad or sorry."