be introduced before they can speak?"

"_Si_, signore."

"And why, may I ask, should an intelligent American family be living in
Valedolmo?"

"I do not know, signore. I have heard ze Signor Papa's healf was no good,
and ze doctors in Americk' zay say to heem, 'you need change, to breave
ze beautiful climate of Italia.' And he say, 'all right, I go to
Valedolmo.' It is small, signore, but ver' _famosa_. Oh, yes, _molto
famosa_. In ze autumn and ze spring foreigners come from all ze
world--Angleesh, French, German--_tutti_! Ze Hotel du Lac is full. Every
day we turn peoples away."

"So! I seem to have struck the wrong season.--But about this American
family, what's their name?"

"La familia Veeldair from Nuovo York."

"Veeldair." He shook his head. "That's not American, Gustavo, at least
when you say it. But never mind, if they come from New York it's all
right. How many are there--just two?"

"But no! Ze papa and ze signorina and ze--ze--" he rolled his eyes in
search of the word--"ze aunt!"

"Another aunt! The sky appears to be raining aunts today. What does she
do for amusement--the signorina who is beautiful as the angels?"

Gustavo spread out his hands.

"Valedolmo, signore, is on ze frontier. It is--what you say--garrison
_citta_. Many soldiers, many officers--captains, lieutenants, wif
uniforms and swords. Zay take tea on ze _terrazzo_ wif ze Signor Papa and
ze Signora Aunt, and most _specialmente_ wif ze Signorina Costantina. Ze
Signor Papa say he come for his healf, but if you ask me, I sink maybe he
come to marry his daughter."

"I see! And yet, Gustavo, American papas are generally not so keen as you
might suppose about marrying their daughters to foreign captains and
lieutenants even if they have got uniforms and swords. I shouldn't be
surprised if the Signor Papa were just a little nervous over the
situation. It seems to me there might be an opening for a likely young
fellow speaking the English language, even if he hasn't a uniform and
sword. How does he strike you?"

"_Si_, signore."

"I'm glad you agree with me. It is now five minutes past four; do you
think the American family would be taking a siesta?"

"I do not know, signore." Gustavo's tone was still patient.

"And whereabouts is the rose-colored villa with the terrace on the lake?"

"It is a quarter of a hour beyond ze Porta Sant' Antonio. If ze gate is
shut you ring at ze bell and Giuseppe will open. But ze road is ver' hot
and