“Vous allez à Blankenberghe, mossié?” said the Italian, with a winning smile.
Barty answered in the affirmative, and the Italian smiled ecstatic delight.
”Jé souis bienn content—nous férons route ensiemblé....” I will translate: “I call myself Carlo Veronese—first barytone of the theatre of La Scala, Milan. The signora is my second wife; she is prima donna assoluta of the grand opera, Naples. The little ragazza is my daughter by my first wife. She is the greatest violinist of her age now living—un’ prodige, mossié—un’ fenomeno!”
Barty, charmed with his new acquaintance, gave the signore his card, and Carlo Veronese invited him graciously to take a seat in the wagonette, as if it were his own private carriage. Barty, who was the most easily impressed person that ever lived, accepted with
