human
What a divine boy! the Countess half whispered to me, not taking her gaze from him.
gpt
He is exactly like a wonderful painting by some old Master of my own dear country. What eyes! They are better and bigger sapphires than any I own, though I've some famous ones. And how strange they are--looking out of his brown face, from under such black lashes, too. Oh, a picture, certainly. He is not like a modern, every-day boy, at all. He can't be English, of that I'm sure, and yet----
human
He is American, I said, when she paused thoughtfully, the Boy at his distance reading or pretending to read, as he stood.
gpt
But you are right. He is very far from being an every-day boy.
human
You know him, then?
gpt
We've been travelling companions for days, and have got to be tremendous pals.
human
How old is he?
gpt
I don't know. He has talked freely about himself only once or twice, though we've discussed together most other subjects under the sun.
human
How deliciously mysterious. Mysterious! yes, that's the word for him. He has mysterious eyes; a mysterious face. There is a shadow upon it. That is part of the fascination, is it not? I am sure he is fascinating.
gpt
Extraordinarily so. I have never met anyone at all like him.
human
He might be a boy Tasso. But he has suffered; he is not a child any more, though his face is smooth as mine. He must be eighteen or nineteen?
gpt
I should give him less, though he has read and thought a tremendous lot for a boy.
human
Men are not judges of age, thank heaven. Women are. I _will_ have it that your friend is nineteen. I should be too silly to take an interest in him, were he less, if it were not motherly; and that wouldn't be entertaining. You see, I am already twenty-two.
gpt
You look eighteen,
human
I told you that you were no judge of age. I was married at eighteen, a widow at nineteen. _Dio mio!_ but it all seems a long time ago, already! Lord Lane, you must introduce to me your friend the boy.
gpt
You will laugh, I said,
human
Not possible.
gpt
True, nevertheless, like most things that seem impossible; nor does he know mine, unless he heard you speak it driving up to the hotel. He was at the door.
human
Men are extraordinary! But, introduce him. You can manage somehow. It's not his name I care for. It is those eyes. I shall invite him to come and see me in Aix. Please bring him to me now. The Baron is arranging about our rooms, and there is sure to be a misunderstanding of some sort, as we had engaged for last night and did not come. The Baronessa? Oh, never mind; she had better listen to her husband. She is my friend, and is soon to be my guest, but she has got upon my nerves to-day.
gpt
I've done all I could about the bag, I said.
human
The people in the post-office seemed hopeful that the big reward would do the trick.
gpt
Thank you. You are very good,