The Little Schoolmaster Mark

sic and turned to his pupil, who was drying her eyes and

nto your voice always, you would indeed be a singer. But you are too light, too 'frivole.' I wish we c

looked kindly at

tor to the little serene Highnesses, I wil

. He was very shy. This perhaps was as well, for the

"you are the new toy. I have heard of you. You are a wonderful holy child; wha

blushing still more, "tha

How very stupid it must be to be an angel! Come and l

of yellow feathers and held it in her delicate hand

l," she said, "to s

g most beautifully. I never heard anyth

oked at him

ad of that. Do you know, we shall be great fr

ed air, which made his companion laugh, "you must remember that I am tutor to their serene Highnesses; I

ur pretty eyes out. There's old Carricchio-that's not his name, you know, but he is called so because of his part-that is the best of them, they are always the same-off the stage or on it-always laughing, always joking, always kicking up their heels. You will see the faces-such deliciou

at her wit

e people?" he said

e your eyes out. Well, there's the Prince, and the little Highnesses, and the old Barotin, the governess, a

aid the boy, "doe

his companion. "I wish she didn'

hat is her

ount-Cavalière-servente, you know"-and her face bec

lmaster's face b

id, staring with h

g again, "I don't mean that devil. The C

ully shocked that she gr

come and take you away? I'll take care of you-come and sit on my lap;" a

n, and looked so unspeakably miserable and read

l take you to the Barotin, and present you to the little serene Highnesse

Italian fashion, till she found a page, to whom she delivered Mark, telling him to take him to the Baroness, int

ear to ensure attention, a familiarity which he took wit

and ran with him through two or three rooms, till he reached a door, where he deposited him upon his feet. Then thr

ately, but not unkindly-looking lady and two beautiful children, a boy and girl, of about eight and

he Prince, your father, has provided for you. You

e Mark her hand, which, not knowing what to d

," she said. "He has told

cess," said Mark, who by this

h insulted. She drew herself up

at only the little Princes say. You must say, 'my most g

uch. Mark blus

so foolish. I am here to teach thee and thy broth

cry, then, apparently thinking better of it, she sa

ou art an angel. I suppose

ith solemn eyes. He said nothing, but he came, finall

ment the page appeared again, saying that dinner was served a

seemed surp

d, "that he would have dined with

age boldly, "the Pri

He had given no orders at all about Mark. The arrangement was entirely of the Signorina's making, who desired that he should dine with her. It wa

ite safe and snug by the Signorina, and certainly stared with all his eyes, as she had said. The long, dark, aquiline features of the men, the mobile play of humorous farce upon their faces, the constant chatter and sport-what could the German peasant boy do

nd the girl was so kind to him, th

, as dinner was over. "You are so good to m

her great eyes; "but you may call me 'Tina,' if you like.

Tina," said the boy, "I am

at him agai