"Forgive me.

I am, not unnaturally, concerned at the prospect of loosing even a small portion of the pleasure you know how to give to me and to many others." "I thank you for your flattery," said Nino, drawing his cloak about him, "but it appears to me that my throat is my own, and whatever voice there may be in it.

Are you a physician, signore?
And pray why do you tell me that Rome is an infernal city ?" "I have had some experience of Rome, Signor Cardegna," returned the foreigner, with a peculiar smile, "and I hate no place so bitterly in all this world--save one.

And as for my being a physician, I am an old man, a very singularly old man in fact, and I know something of the art of healing." "When I need healing, as you call it," said Nino, rather scornfully, "I will inquire for you.

Do you desire to continue this interview amid the 'damps and chills of our 'infernal city'?
If not, I will wish you good-evening." "By no means," said the other, not in the least repulsed by Nino's coldness.