parody of that tongue. "I understand him," she said, "but I do
not speak him happily. I will discourse, if the signor pleases,
in our first speech."

She and her father, it appeared, had come over the Brenner, and
arrived that morning at the Tre Croci, where they purposed to lie
for some days. He was an old man, very feeble, and much
depending upon her constant care. Wherefore it was necessary
that the rooms of all the party should adjoin, and there was no
suite of the size in the inn save that which I had taken. Would
I therefore consent to forgo my right, and place her under an
eternal debt?

I agreed most readily, being at all times careless where I sleep,
so the bed be clean, or where I eat, so the meal be good. I bade
my servant see the landlord and have my belongings carried to
other rooms. Madame thanked me sweetly, and would have gone,
when a thought detained her.

"It is but courteous," she said, "that you should know the names
of those whom you have befriended. My father is called the Count
d'Albani, and I am his only daughter. We travel to Florence,
where we have a villa in the environs."

"My name," said I, "is Hervey-Townshend, an Englishman
travelling abroad for his entertainment."

"Hervey?" she repeated. "Are you one of the family of Miladi
Hervey?"