The Argosy — page 43: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Princess Eleanor. 33 say something in acquiescence, but Werdan had already involved me in a long story, the end of which San Giuliano scarcely awaited to tell a whole string of anecdotes, from laughing at which the tears came to his eyes. I was aware of all that passed around me; saw cousin Dorothy giggling behind her pocket-handkerchief, and heard her ask for every clever thing to be repeated twice. Werdan never ceased talking ; even Arsent sometimes chimed in; and I—Amy, / scarcely succeeded in giving my face an attentive expression. The first part of the conver- sation had interested me deeply, and now I was so bored that I felt the greatest desire in the world to gather up the train of my dress, and sit down on the low stool between my brother and Herr Impach. There I should have heard more of the history of Raphael Sanzio and his beautiful Fornarina. But I was obliged to remain the whole evening in the society I had thought worthy of preference, and felt severely punished for my mischievousness in challenging the artist. Perhaps this is only the transition to old habits and the old tone of conversation. At any rate, I will persevere in trying to get back to it again. Cousin Dorothy told me, with a de ep sigh, that she gave the young artist up as incorrigible. Dear, good cousin! It would require a stronger persuasive power than yours to win this young man from his all-absorbing thoughts—from his art ! From what lofty heights he looks down upon us, when our jeunesse dorée are chattering away about all the nonsense that enters their heads! But that is very wrong and presuming of him, for no one has a right to despise what he could not succeed in doing; and I really do not believe that he could talk a whole evening about nothing at all, as Werdan can. Do you know he is very proud too, Amy? As we parted on the stairs he made a bow to me lower than any ever made by our dancing- master ; and he did not even look at me once the whole time. To-morrow I shall ask Emest to take me through Pitti Palace; I must look at the real Fornarina again. Besides, I am curious to see how far advanced Herr Impach is with his picture. Good night, Amy ! I am so tired that the pen drops from my hand. Your ELEANOR. XIV. COUNT WERDAN TO HIS UNCLE. FLORENCE. I have been here for more than three weeks, according to your wish, dear uncle ; and I suppose you have expected a letter from me 1¢ long ere this. VOL, XXII. B comicbhooks.comnn '