The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-12

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Nelly, who, in the midst of mob q
people, was climbing a mountain in q
heavy sHewsterm.
But few hours later, revived by a
cup Of strong coffee and cigar, his ideas
were less confused, and he was able to
grasp the situation.
The conviction that he was In love,
and had publicly betrayed his feelings
no longer filled him with the keen dis.
may Of the previous evening. He was
able to reflect that if Mrs. Peel locked
severe, Miss Nelly did not, and that, al.
though the latter had said nothing, she
had smiled very skindly on him as he
closed the carriage door.
Surely, then, he might 70 10 the house
by the river as usual that evening. Yet,
no; that would be impossihlei Better tn
let a day or so pass, to lun Mrs Peel's
suspicious. ST
He was brushing his hair at that mo.
ment; he suddenly scewled at his own
image in the looking-glsss, and flourish.
ing his brush, exclaimed:
"Snspicions, indeedl and why should
l try to lull them7 If she knows that
want her daughter, all the better, for I do
not want her. After all, why should
be ashamed? What I said last night
was no crime; she" 1.-THE pronoun did not
refer to Mrs Peel) "can not be offended,
surely not offended. I am no longer
Y young, pm-weIl, rm Rgly, but if she
likes me, she will not mind-if she likes
me!' .... .....,
The Professor trembled with joy at the
bare thought Of SO bissful possibility,
and then shrank with fear, remembering
how scanty his means would appear to q
girl reared in English luxury.
All this time he continued to brush
his hair as though the process aroused his
hope and energy. Signoria Assunta, who
wanted to put his room in order before
repairing to her kitchen, wondered much
why the Professor was so long dressing
this morning, and scented a mystery.
He had burnt up all the oil in his lamp,
yet books and papers were in the same
position in which her sharp eyes had
seen them when her master returned
from the Circolo. -. .....
Something to do with those English
people, OF course" -.
Towards evening the Professors resolve
not to 60 to the Peels sensibly weakened.
Finally he hit upon compromise. He
had heard that it was custom in polite
society to suppose that ladies were over
whelmed with fatigue after any diver
sion. Therefore he might certainly call
and inquire how they were after the lee
ture. That would be better than moth
ing, though it would be hard to turn
away from that open door.
Accordingly, at about the usual hour
the three ladies heard the usual ring. A
flush of annoyance passed over Mrs
Peel's face, and her Ii ps tightened in a
fashion that argued i'll for the Professors
welcome. Then she glanced at her eldest
daughter, who raised her eyebrows and
shook her head. As for Nelly, directly
she heard the tinkle of the small door
belk she had put aside the scrap of
crewel work in her hand and set about
arranging pile Of Italian books on the
big center table.
The appearance of the Professors card,
uhaccompanied by the Professors person
was an immense relief to two of the par
ty. Nelly pouted and wondered aloud
why he had not come in.
'It is too bad, mamma. am thirsting
to tease him about his contradictory
views on female education"
italians don't always understand
young ladies' teasing" answered her
mother curtly, as she placed the card up
on the mantel-piece.
81 am glad he didn't come in tonight"
said the sister, in her weak, gentle voice.
"He is very clever, very nice, but he
needn't come quite so often"
italians seldom understand that
said Mrs. Peel, sententiously. "They
always think that if you remain at home
you must like to be at home TO any one,
any evening. 1 too am glad the Professor
has had the good sense only to lea We his
card" u...'
Mamma! what is the matter with
you tonight with your Italian this, and
Italian, that? What has the poor Pro
fessor done to offend you? His speech
wasn't first-rate, I'll allow, but that isn't
an unforgivable sin. Now, / wish that
he had been discreet enough to come in
instead of leaving this ugly printed card
Why do Italians generally use printed
cards, mamma? wonder you don't add
that to their crimes!"
And presently, some instinct having
drawn Miss Nelly to the window, she had
the surprise of seeing our hero on the op-
posite pavement, standing still and look
ing up at the house. lie moved on as
the girl parted the curtains, but though
he made no sign, she was sure that he
had seen her, and came back to the fire.
side with flushed cheeks and absent man
ner. ......
As for the Professor, he walked home
in quite a cheerful mood, soon to be sue
ceeded by fit of deepest melancholy.
He would not leave another card the fol-
lowing evening, neither had he the cour-
age to walk into that genial drawing
room as though nothing had happened.
His sensitive Imagination took a highly
exaggerated view of the case. He had
betrayed himself, betrayed himself pub