Leandro turned towards them to pay his compliments to the
Contessa, and possibly in the hope of being allowed to read his copy
of verses. But here again mortification awaited him.
"What, Aesop, Leandro! What put it into your head to choose the old
story-teller for a model? You look the part to perfection, it is
true; but what is that thing you have got in your hand?"
Again his lordship was fain to retreat.
"What a shame to torment the poor man so, in your own house too,
Signor Ludovico," said Violante, who, nevertheless, could not help
laughing.
"Not a bit, he's used to it. He is too absurd for anything; an
egregious vain ass," returned Ludovico; with very little precaution
to prevent the object of his animadversions from hearing them. And
again Leandro's acute ears did him the ill service of carrying every
word that had been said to his understanding.
"Indeed I think her perfectly charming," said Violante, in
continuation of the conversation, which had been interrupted by the
bow-legged vision of Apollo; "extremely pretty of course,--but a
great deal more than that. She is fresh, ingenuous, modest, full of
sensibility, and as honest-hearted as the day. You are a very
fortunate man, Signor Ludovico, to have succeeded in winning such a
heart."
"How came it about at first, that you spoke to her?" asked Ludovico.
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