When Astrardente saw the elder Saracinesca's face during his short interview with the diplomatist, his curiosity was immediately aroused.

He perceived that there was something the matter, and he proceeded to try and ascertain the circumstances from his acquaintance.

The ambassador returned to his _pate_ and his champagne with an air of amused interest, but vouchsafed no information whatever.
"What a singularly amusing fellow old Saracinesca is!" remarked Astrardente.
"When he likes to be," returned his Excellency, with his mouth full.
"On the contrary--when he least meditates it.

I never knew a man better suited for a successful caricature.

Indeed he is not a bad caricature of his own son, or his own son of him--I am not sure which." The ambassador laughed a little and took a large mouthful.
"Ha! ha! very good," he mumbled as he ate.