"You know as well as I do it's the signorina." "Really ?" I replied.

"Well, well! I fancied you were a little touched in that quarter.

And she has consented to make you happy ?" I was curious to see what he would say.

I knew he was a bad liar, and, as a fact, I believe he told the truth on this occasion, for he answered: "Says she never cared a straw for anyone else." Oh, signorina! "Not even Whittingham ?" I asked maliciously.
"Hates the old ruffian!" said the colonel.

"I once thought she had a liking for you, Martin, but she laughed at the idea.