Up to the hour of leaving, I had never once heard the name of my host.
That of his father-in-law had been often mentioned. He was Signor
Francesco Torreani, a native of the Papal States, who some years before
had come to the Argentine Republic--as many others of his countrymen--to
better his condition. This, and not much more, of him or his had I
learnt. To say the truth, our daily life during my short stay had been
too much taken up with the pleasures of the present to dwell upon
memories of the past--often painful.
In my case they were of this character, and appeared the same in that of
my new acquaintances. Who, breathing the free, fresh air of the pampas,
or bounding over them on the back of a half-wild horse, would care to
remember the petty joys and sorrows of an effete and corrupt
civilisation? Rather should one wish to forget them.
So was it with me; and so, too, I fancied with these emigrants from the
classic land of Italy. I sought not to know the history of their past.
Why should they have any interest in communicating it? They did not,
any more than the few facts already stated, and these were revealed by
chance, in the course of conversation. Little, however, as I had learnt
of the Torreanis, still less was I informed of the antecedents of my own
countryman. I stood upon the threshold of his house, about to bid him
adieu, without even knowing his name!
This may appear strange, and requiring explanation. It is this. Among
the people of Spanish America, the surname is but seldom heard--only the
Christian cognomen, or, as they term it, _apellido_. This was all I had
heard of my host--Henry being his baptismal appellation.
But for some reason, into which I had no right to inquire, I found him
reticent whenever chance led us to converse upon English affairs; and,
though he showed no prejudice against his native country, he appeared to
take little interest in it--at times, as I thought, shunning the
subject.
In my own mind, I had shaped out a theory to account for this
indifference. Want of success in early life--perhaps something of
social exclusion--though I could not put it upon that score. His
manners and accomplishments proved, if not high birth, at least the
training that appertains to it; and in our intercourse there had more
than once cropped out the masonic signs of Eton and Oxford. I wondered
who he could be, or whence he had sprung. Fearing it might not be
relished, I had forborne asking the question.
It was only at the last moment, when I stood upon his doorstep, and was
about bidding him adieu, that the thought of inquiring his name came
into my head.
"You will excuse me," I said, "if after having been for three days the
recipient of a very pleasant and very undeserved hospitality, I am
somewhat desirous to know the name of my host. It is not a matter of
mere curiosity; but only that I may know to whom I am so largely
indebted."
"How very odd!" he said, answering me with a peal of laughter. "But is
it really the fact that you have not yet learnt my name? I took it as a
matter of course you had. Now I remember it, I have never heard you
call me except by my Italian title of _signore_! What uncourteous
negligence on my part! Three days in a man's house without knowing his
name! How very amusing, is it not? Altogether un-English. To make the
best amends in my power, I shall adopt the English fashion of giving you
my card. I think I have some left in an old card case. Let me see if
there are."
My host turned back into the house, leaving me to laugh over the
circumstance with his sweet wife Lucetta.
Presently he came out again, the card case in his hand; as he
approached, drawing out of it several enamelled cards that appeared
spotted and mouldy with age. Selecting one, he placed it in my hand.
There was no need for scrutinising it just then; and merely glancing at
the piece of cardboard, without staying to decipher the name, I bade him
good-bye--I had already made my adieux to the lady--mounted my horse,
and rode off.
I had not gone far before curiosity prompted me to acquaint myself with
the name of my hospitable entertainer.