"If I must speak of myself believe me it is not a nobody the Count Filgiatti," he went on at last. "Two Cardinals I have had in my family and one is second cousin to the Pope." "Fancy the Pope's having relations!" I said, "but I suppose there is nothing to prevent it." "Nothing at all. In my family I have had many ambassadors, but that was a little formerly. Once a Filgiatti married with a Medici--but these things are better for Mistra and Madame Wick to inquire." "Poppa is very much interested in antiquities, but I'm afraid there will hardly be time, Count Filgiatti." "Listen, I will say all! Always they have been much too large, the families Filgiatti. So now perhaps we are a little _re_duce. But there is still somethings-ah--signorina, can you pardon that I speak these things, but the time is so small--there is fifteen hundred lire yearly revenue to my pocket." "About three hundred dollars," I observed sympathetically. Count Filgiatti nodded with the smile of a conscious capitalist. "Then of course," I said, "you won't marry for money." I'm afraid this was a little unkind, but I was quite sure the Count would perceive no irony, and said it for my own amusement. "_Jamais!_ In Italy you will find that never! The Italian gives always the heart before--before----" "The arrangimento," I suggested softly. "Indeed, yes. There is also the seat of the family." "The seat of the family," I repeated. "Oh--the family seat. Of course, being a Count, you have a castle. They always go together. I had forgotten." "A castle I cannot say, but for the country it is very well. It is not amusing there, in Tuscany. It is a little out of repairs. Twice a year I go to see my mother and all those brothers and sisters--it is enough! And the Countess, my mother, has said to me two hundred times, 'Marry with an Americaine, Nicco--it is my command.' 'Nicco,' she calls me--it is what you call jack-name." The Count smiled deprecatingly, and looked at me with a great deal of sentiment, twisting his moustache. Another pause ensued. It's all very well to say I should have dismissed him long before this, but I should like to know on what grounds? "I wish very much to write my mother that I have found the American lady for a new Countess Filgiatti," he said at last with emotion. "Well," I said awkwardly, "I hope you will find her." "Ah, Mees Wick," exclaimed the Count recklessly, "you are that American lady. When I saw you in the railway I said, 'It is my vision!' At once I desired to embrace the papa. And he was not cold with me--he told me of the soda. I had courage, I had hope. At first when I see you to-day I am a little derange. In the Italian way I speak first with the papa. Then came a little thought in my heart--no, it is propitious! In America the daughter maka always her own arrangimento. So I am spoken." At this I rose immediately. I would not have it on my conscience that I toyed with the matrimonial proposition of even an Italian Count.