Theobald's habits or convictions. On the contrary, I was
alarmed about him, and I should immediately go in search of him. She
gave me his address, and a florid account of her sufferings at his non-
appearance. She had not been to him for various reasons; chiefly because
she was afraid of displeasing him, as he had always made such a mystery
of his home. "You might have sent this gentleman!" I ventured to
suggest.
"Ah," cried the gentleman, "he admires the Signora Serafina, but he
wouldn't admire me." And then, confidentially, with his finger on his
nose, "He's a purist!"
I was about to withdraw, after having promised that I would inform the
Signora Serafina of my friend's condition, when her companion, who had
risen from table and girded his loins apparently for the onset, grasped
me gently by the arm, and led me before the row of statuettes. "I
perceive by your conversation, signore, that you are a patron of the
arts. Allow me to request your honourable attention for these modest
products of my own ingenuity. They are brand-new, fresh from my atelier,
and have never been exhibited in public.
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