"Yes, they're a forbidden luxury. But you--? Are you
superstitious? Would you be afraid of opals?"

"I doubt if I should have the courage to wear one. At all
events, I don't regard superstitions in the light of a luxury.
I should be glad to be rid of those I have. They're a horrible
inconvenience. But I can't get it out of my head that the air
is filled with a swarm of malignant little devils, who are
always watching their chance to do us an ill turn. We don't in
the least know the conditions under which they can bring it
off; but it's legendary that if we wear opals, or sit thirteen
at table, or start an enterprise on Friday, or what not, we
somehow give them their opportunity. And one naturally wishes
to be on the safe side."

She looked at him with. doubt, considering.

"You don't seriously believe all that?" she said.

"No, I don't seriously believe it. But one breathes it in with
the air of one's nursery, and it sticks. I don't believe it,
but I fear it just enough to be made uneasy. The evil eye, for
instance. How can one spend any time in Italy, where everybody
goes loaded with charms against it, and help having a sort of
sneaking half-belief in the evil eye?"

She shook her head, laughing.

"I 've spent a good deal of time in Italy, but I have n't so