Sanin played with her until dinner-time and after dinner Pantaleone
too took a hand in the game. Never had his topknot hung so low over
his forehead, never had his chin retreated so far into his cravat!
Every movement was accompanied by such intense solemnity that as one
looked at him the thought involuntarily arose, 'What secret is that
man guarding with such determination?' But _segredezza_! _segredezza_!

During the whole of that day he tried in every possible way to show
the profoundest respect for Sanin; at table, passing by the ladies, he
solemnly and sedately handed the dishes first to him; when they were
at cards he intentionally gave him the game; he announced, apropos of
nothing at all, that the Russians were the most great-hearted, brave,
and resolute people in the world!

'Ah, you old flatterer!' Sanin thought to himself.

And he was not so much surprised at Signora Roselli's unexpected state
of mind, as at the way her daughter behaved to him. It was not that
she avoided him ... on the contrary she sat continually a little
distance from him, listened to what he said, and looked at him;
but she absolutely declined to get into conversation with him, and
directly he began talking to her, she softly rose from her place, and
went out for some instants. Then she came in again, and again seated
herself in some corner, and sat without stirring, seeming meditative
and perplexed ... perplexed above all. Frau Lenore herself noticed
at last, that she was not as usual, and asked her twice what was the
matter.

'Nothing,' answered Gemma; 'you know I am sometimes like this.'