A request on her part for the salt
sufficed to open a conversation between them; but as it was in German,
I could not follow its meaning. I observed, however, that it by and by
waxed rather more warm than is customary in the languid hour of a
_table-d'hote_; and, what was more, a silence ensued amongst a
considerable number of those within hearing, as if the subject of
their conversation were of an interesting character. A kind-looking
English gentleman on the opposite side of the table seemed to become
uneasy, and he soon telegraphed to me with a look which I could not
misunderstand. In real alarm, I touched Claudia's arm, and indicated
my wish to retire. As soon as we reached our own apartment, I
anxiously asked her what she had been saying, and what that animated
conversation was about. 'Oh, nothing particular, Tantie dear. We were
talking politics; but I am not a Republican, you know. You need not
look afraid. I am a Royalist, and I told him so. Only, I said I
thought it would be better for Italy to have an Italian king than an
Austrian emperor. He did not seem to think so; but you know every one
cannot think alike.'
'Oh, you unfortunate little girl!' I exclaimed; 'you little know the
imprudence of which you have been guilty;' and I bitterly regretted my
ignorance of German, which had allowed her to make such a
demonstration of her sentiments.
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