But if you please, signora, we will not speak any more of this at present.

I may be a great artist some day.

Sometimes I feel sure that I shall.

But now I am simply Giovanni Cardegna, teacher of literature; and the highest favour you can confer on me is not to deprive me of my means of support by revealing to the Conte di Lira my other occupation.

I may fail hopelessly at the outset of my artistic career, and in that case I shall certainly remain a teacher of language." "Very well," said the baroness, in a subdued voice; for, in spite of her will and wilfulness, this square-faced boy of mine was more than a match for her.