r; and, on
returning from our moonlit drive, we are prepared for the announcement
that somebody still waits with something still unshown for us to see.
Sometimes one man will come alone, and if he finds us unassailable or
indifferent, he will take care to return next time in company with an
accomplice,--an honest, plain fellow in his dealings, who, actuated by
feelings of pure humanity, and in pursuance of his sturdy motto of
"_fiat justitia ruat coelum_," will, at the risk of offending his
friend, alter his prices, and propose others vastly more equitable and
advantageous for _us_. Enters one day a brace of these rogues at
breakfast--two such palpable rogues _in face_ that you needed no
proficiency in Lavater to know at once with whom you had to deal. One of
the pair, _par nobile fratrum_, gives a very respectful, the other, what
is meant for a very courtly, bow. "_This gentleman_," says one unknown
individual introducing the other--"_This gentleman_ has just landed from
Sicily, bringing with him a small collection of coins--_vergini
tutti_--all virgins, and on which no amateur's eye has yet rested even
for a moment." "_Non e vero, Cavaliere?_" "_Altro che vero!_" responds
the cavalier. "I, sir," resumes the other, "am, as you have doubtless
perceived, the poor _mezzano_, the mere umpire in this business; _I_
have no interest in the sale of any articles in that gentleman's
pockets; it was by the merest accident that I heard of his arrival an
hour ago; and, as I know he must have something _good_, I pounced upon
him at once--would not give him time even to shave, (_voyez un peu cette
barbe farouche_--it was so), but brought him hither in great haste, lest
others--_vous concevez qu'a Naples_." "To be sure we did; but did not
the Cavaliere understand French?" "Not a word." "What says the Signore?"
interrogates the unshaved Sicilian noble; "_Domanda se lei capisce il
Francese?_" "_Niente_," not a bit of it, returns he, shaking his head
guilelessly. "_Non importa_,--it's of no importance. You, Cavaliere,
will mention your prices to me, I will propose them to this
gentleman--he his; I will then give _my opinion_ as to what is _fair_
between you, and thus we shall, I trust, do a little business to the
satisfaction of both. Signor Cavaliere _s'accommodi_." Thus admonished
of _our_ breach of manners in having kept the Cavaliere standing, we
would fain atone for it on the spot, by begging the "mezzano" also to
take a chair; but h