The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-07
TIT PROFESSORS DECLARATION.
CHAPTER I-(CoNTNUED.)

~~~ . A@As S~@N ~AA' ~ A~Dsf
And, wonder of wonders, he hear
himself addressed in fluent Italian b,
the voice of mild old lady, with snov
white hair and delicate little hands
This was so unexpected that he mechan-
ically muttered "Bon jour-" However
the spell of fear that held him was bro
ken; the Professor was himself again
and heartened by Mrs Peeps words o.
welcome, he even shook hands with hel
daughter, as well as herself. But he ad
dressed himself solely to the mother; he
was very shy Of young ladies, and regard
ed them as being from another planet
where science was unknown and litera.
ture myth. With Mrs. Peel he got Oh
capitally. and was presently as much
at ease with her as old Marchesa
S. or Countess q He did not mind be-
ing asked questions in his own tongue,
or rather his dislike to the process was
drowned in the joy of liberation from
the penance of expressing himself in a
foreign idiom. Still, to answer these
questions was no easy task, for the lady
required information upon topics with
which he had no familiarity. What
could he tell her of the prices offurnished
lodgings for the winter season, or of mys-
terious arrangements touching plate and
linen? His hat had bad time of it in
his anxious grasp as Mrs. Peel poured
forth her demands in a gentle but con-
tinuous stream. He was beginning to
feel in his pocket for his silk handker-
chief in order to wipe his brow-his
usual resource in moments of perplexity
when the young girl suddenly moved
90 her mothers side and whispered some
thing in her ear.
Thereupon the old lady smiled, nodded
her head rapidly, and said:
"Mv daughter suggests that instead of
troubling you, Professor, about these do
mestic matters, it would be better to ask
you to refer us to some worthy person,
some housekeeper, who would kindly
give us a few hints"
Msrcotti caught at the word house
Keeper, and glanced gratefully at pair
of blue eyes that met his with perfect
frankness.
81 have a housekeeper, Signora," he
answered quite briskly, leaving his hand
kerchief undisturbed. "She is capable
person, and, as native of this city,
kows about everything of that kind.
Shall send her to you?"
Mrs. Peel politely said that it might
save trouble if she herself called at the
Professors house.
An expression of unmistakable alarm
passed over our heros countenance as
he hastily negatived the proposition and
repeated that he would send his house
keeper to the hotel. Poor man, he was
familiar with the state of the worthy
Assunta's nerves whenever she happened
to be interrupted in her domestic duties.
Again he glanced involuntarily at the
young lady demurely seated by her
and reddened as be met her
eyes, which seemed to penetrate his
thoughts. In reality, the girl was only
why this distinguished man,
Of whom her uncle had so high an opin-
ion, should be so painfully shy and awk-
ward, and she 1onged to sieze his i'll
treated hat and place it safely beyond
his reach.
After this there was little pause, for
is catching, and then the
Professor, anxious to show his readiness
% be useful to these not unpleasant for
,igners, timidly asked if they would care
% make acquaintance, and offered to in
.roduce them to his friends, Marchesa C.
md CountessZ. Both ladies were charmed
1t the idea, for the mother had an un-
confessed liking for titles, and the
laughter an open fondness for society of
my kind. The simple Professor would
lave been considerably astonished had
Ne guessed how greatly this offer had
aised him in Mrs. PeePs estimation.
Joronets are too plentiful in Italy for
with the possessors to be re-
,arded as a a social privilege. Now the
conversation became quite animated, and
be bright-eyed daughter ventured on
ew Italian sentences hesitatingly uttered
n so sweet voice that the Professor
'egan to think an English accent the
,rettiest in the world; and when half an
lour later the Professor rose to 90, he
lad accepted an invitation for dinner on
he following day, had bound himself to
ind singing and language masters for the
'oung lady, and valiantly guaranteed
Assinta's best services in the search for
n apartment. He set off towards home
t an unusually rapid pace; but if it was
unger that quickened his steps, why did
e walk down the river side quarter of
mile out of his way in order to stare 80
ntently atall the windows adorned with
he inscription of Furnished Lodgings
o Letw
Assuntas face was study on learning,
'hile her master was sugaring his
coffee, what was required
her. He had not dared to tell her be- {
ore. What did she know of lodgings by
he river! She wasn't house agent;
he was unacquainted with foreign ways,
nd had but poor opinion of widows.
hat was, Of Italian widows; as she said
efore, she knew nothing Of foreigners
nd of their queer languages. Here she
sttled her well-ironed neck-ribbon with
lperfuous care, and assumed SO porten-
nous an aspect of mature virgin dignity,
nat her master, unused to this deyeIope-