The  Signorina  smiled  slightly  as  she
heard ;  then  she  plucked  a  white  rose,
turned  round,  and  stood  facing  me,
slightly  flushed  as  though  with  some
inner  excitement.
*  I  am  afraid  those  two  gentlemen  do
not  love  one  another,'  she  said.
'  Hardly,'  I  assented.
*  And  you,  do  you  love  them — or  either
of  them  ? '

'  I  love  only  one  person  In  Aureataland,'
I  replied,  as  ardently  as  I  dared.
The    Signorina  bit   her    rose,    glancing


54  A  MAN  OF  MARK

up  at  me  with  unfeigned  amusement  and
pleasure.  I  think  I  have  mentioned  that
she  didn't  object  to  honest  admiration.
'  Is  it  possible  you  mean  me  ?'  she  said,
making  me  a  little  curtsey.  '  I  only  think
so  because  most  of  the  Whittingham
ladies  would  not  satisfy  your  fastidious
taste.'

*  No  lady  in  the  world  could  satisfy
me  except  one,'  I  answered,  thinking  she
took  it  a  little  too  lightly.
'  Ah,  so  you  say,'  she  said.  '  And  yet
I  don't  suppose  you  would  do  anything
for  me,   Mr  Martin  ? '

'  It  would  be  my  greatest  happiness,'
I  cried.
She  said  nothing,  but  stood  there,  biting
the  rose.
'  Give  it  me,'  I  said ;  '  it  shall  be  my
badge  of  service.'

'  You  will  serve  me,  then  ? '  said  she.
*  For  what  reward  ? '

'  Why,  the  rose  ! '


OVERTURES  FROM  THE  OPPOSITION    55

'  I  should  like  the  owner  too/  I  ven-
tured to  remark.
