rosaic, but it is
nearer the truth."

_La brigadiera_, with a laugh, accepted the arm which her nephew offered
her as they went to the dining-room. During the meal he entertained the
ladies in the same agreeable fashion, telling them a thousand curious
incidents, giving them minute descriptions of the _soirees_ in the
fashionable society of Paris. They were most interested in what he had
to say about the ladies' dresses and the decoration of the salons.

During the conversation he never once forgot those gallant and
thoughtful attentions which were demanded by his situation. By intuition
he discovered when Julita's wine-glass was empty; he offered his aunt
the olives; he passed her the mustard, cut the bread for her, etc.

Julia was merry, and perhaps rather more talkative than usual; but when
she made use of any expression that was a little more piquante than
usual, she would feel her cheeks flush under her cousin's steady,
smiling, and somewhat ironical gaze.

It was the first time that she had ever forced herself to be witty and
sharp and say sharp things. When she said anything that was particularly
clever, Saavedra would look up, and his smile would seem to say, "This
little girl is bright."

Julia was rather humiliated by his smile at first, but then she read
under it an expression of scornful protection, or at least of absolute
indifference, scarcely masked by the extreme courtesy which he showed in
all his words and gestures. For in this respect Don Alfonso did not
weary a single instant; he did not miss a single opportunity of showing
them his subordination, and of giving both his aunt and cousin to feel
how agreeable he could be to them.

In the days that followed, his gallantry did not in the least relax. _La
brigadiera_ wrote her cousin, assuring her that "she would keep her
nephew not merely a month, but all his life in her house; that he was a
perfect gentleman, and that young men could not in Spain possibly
acquire such an admirable education and such manners as he possessed."

A hearty and perfect confidence quickly grew between him and Julia; the
girl amused him with her lively and picturesque chatter which recalled
to the exile his years of childhood and youth.

Don Alfonso played the guitar as well as the piano, and to his skill and
facility in singing Polish and Spanish songs was due in no small measure
his social success in Parisian society. But there he played and sang to
attract the notic