Page:Claire Ambler (1928).djvu/158

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that meant, "You're doing this!" Then she turned away, and, rearranging her expression to a more welcoming aspect, walked briskly toward Arturo. She did not reach him, however, without being intercepted.

Giuseppe Bastoni rose from the bench where he had been sitting beyond a clustering shrubbery, and stepped forth to stand bowing before her.

"Miss Ambler—you please?"

She stopped. "Yes?"

"I please like to invite you. You will come to dance? Music at Salone nice good zis assternoon. You please enjoy to come?"

"No," she said; and she intended the coldness with which she spoke and looked at him to be observed by the person whose suggestion she thought she was obeying. "No, I believe not."

Giuseppe stared through his monocle. "No? You don't like?"

"Not to-day."

"No? You don't like to come because we go to Naple' sometime, my brozzer an' me?"

"I haven't any idea what you mean," she said. "I must go on; I'm keeping Mr. Liana waiting."

"Oh, yes! Meester Liana!" Giuseppe stood aside,