Connecticut western news., 1892-01-07
CANAAN. CONN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 7. 1892

ful mouth or the countess Tor some 1n- voluntary ofense against esprit on his part. And on the other hand the coun- tess was wary as to her words, blushing to be caught ln moment of weakness in which she should resemble too much l any other woman.
 But by too great subservience to their reputation, Flavia and Ernesto began to become rather tiresome; that is to say, not to themselves, but to the people who frequented them. It is natural that brilliant people have many exactlons, it is natural that they live life different from that of the multitude. For ex- ample, when they met at a ball, Ernesto saluted the countess and spoke with her for one moment, then took little turn and came back to say something to her, without even stopping long, but return iug often, and people around said that he was right to do so, because she alone could understand him. They frequently danced together for the same reason and the other admirers of the witty countess were left badly off, disap- pointed of the mazurka or quadrille hoped for in vain. When Flavia went away the marquis moved about the rooms for little while longer with a bored air; then put on his overcoat and departed because he had no longer any one to talk with.
 At the theater Ernesto remained much longer than was his duty in her box, for it is very common to make short visits to ladies. If some poor mortal, in form of dark youth in dress coat, marmoreally polished shirt front and the relative crush hat, presented him. self to the Countess Flavia-if this un- happy but contemptible young man dared venture the customary compli- ments-an impartinent little laugh stirred the lips of the marquis and cut ting reply came from the rosy mouth of the countess. The result was the pre- cipitate flight of the young man There was rumor that the Marquis Ernesto had paid assiduous court to the young Duchess Cesira Galbiati, very beauti- ful young woman, tall, with statuesqe outlines, great Junonian eyes, long gold en hair, flower of womanhood, but in ingenious and conscientious sort; we'll, it was to be supposed that the Countess Flavia had exploded more tha1 one cpl gram at the marquis, for he ceased to hover around the Duchess Cesira.
 Again, the countess and the marquis had reserved to themselves the privilege of many, very many strange ideas, which they never failed to put in to exc cution. When all the stream of car riages was at the Riviera di Chiaia. Flavia made hers turn by the corner of Piedigotta and go by the Corso Vittoris Emanuel; Ernesto described circle, went by way of the Toledo and the Sal vator Rosa and came to meet her. In the winter season, in midst of the amusements, festivals, balls, Flavia f1ad away all alone to Sorrento, and after three days Ernesto appeared there, bored by the city. At first Flavia had recep- tion day, then annuled it, seeing that ali the other women, her friends, had one. aud also because the marquis made fun of days.
 The marquis had lost his inveterate habit of going to hunt every year in Calabria. So, little by little, certain isolation was made around them; the
 
 was contained the entire wit of Naples, but added, sotGo voce, that it was bet ter to leave the two models of wit to fight it out between themselves. Flavia and Ernesto did not perceive this, anl when the tardy moment came, in which they found themselves alone, one facing the other, it seemed to them a very sim pie thing. The public had withdrawn itself-but not in vain was the invention of art for arts sake.
 One evening, be it known, in autumn the conversation between those two Ian guished, exhausted. Not that they found nothing more to say, but certain sense of weariness descended upon them. All the evening their wit had sparkled bril- iantly, and the charming epigram, deli cate ironies, courteous implications. biting amlabilities had showered unin- termittently. Now they were silent The countess extended herself slightly in her armchair; she was adorable under the quiet lamplight; but the marquis, while recognizing this fact, had the good taste not to speak of it. He was playing with mother of pearl pen handle.
  murmured, with pretended air of cou. viction.
 'For the unmarried, yes" the countess quickly retorted.
 And she adjusted her lace cravat. Ernesto took book from the table, reaG the title and laid it down again.
 Do you know what they say dowb there about us?"
 q do not know. And do not care tt know"
 "Then 'tis sign that ought to tel you. Many of our mutual friends ar, agreed in the opinion that we two are persons of too much wit ever to marry each other."
 "Bah!" said the countess, shrugging her shoulders.
 "If in order to prove ourselves witt, we should do just the contrary. Whar do you say, countess? It would be charlningr' aud he opened the Pungolo newspaper to read the locals. Charming, indeed" she replied, put ting out her hand to take her fan.- Translated from the Italian of Matilde Serao by E. Cavazza for Short Stories.