V.“Is it you, Galimberti? Pray come in.”
“Am I not disturbing you?” and, as usual, he stumbled over the rug, and then sat down, hat in hand, one glove off and the other on, but unbuttoned.
“You never disturb me.” Her tone was the cold, monotonous one of ill-humour.
“You were thinking?” ventured the dwarf, after a short silence.
“Yes, I was thinking ... but I don’t remember about what.”
“Have you been out to-day? It is a lovely morning.”
“And I’m so cold. I am always cold when the weather is warm, and vice versâ.”
“Strange creature!”
“Eh?”
“I beg your pardon.”
“And about yourself, Galimberti. Have you been to the College to-day to give your lesson?”
“Yes, I went there, although I felt so sad, and so disinclined to teach.”
“Very sad—and why?” But the tone was indifferent.
He str
