He was too proud to put the animal to a brisker pace than a walk, lest he should seem to avoid an enemy.

But Nino turned his mule at the same time.
"Pardon the liberty, sir," he said, "but I would take advantage of this opportunity to have a few words with you." "It is a liberty, as you say, sir," replied Lira, stiffly, and looking straight before him.

"But since you have met me, say what you have to say quickly." He talked in the same curious constructions as formerly, but I will spare you the grammatical vagaries.
"Some time has elapsed," continued Nino, "since our unfortunate encounter.

I have been in Paris, where I have had more than common success in my profession.

From being a very poor teacher of Italian to the signorina, your daughter, I am become an exceedingly prosperous artist.