Page:The Italian - Radcliffe, volume 1 (1797).djvu/188

much in words, as in his manner and countenance, in the archness of his dark, penetrating eye, and in the exquisite adapta­tion of his gesture to his idea. He was a distinguished favourite with his master, who, if he had not humour him­self, had a keen relish of it in others, and who certain­ly did possess wit, with all its lively accompaniments, in an eminent degree. Vivaldi had been won by the naïveté and humour of this man, to allow him an unu­sual degree of familiarity in conversation; and, as they now walked together towards Paluzzi, he unfolded to Paulo as much of his former adventure there as he judged necessary to interest his curiosity and excite his vigilance. The relation did both. Paulo, however, naturally courageous, was incredulous to superstition of any kind; and, having quickly perceived that his master was not altogether indisposed to attribute to a superna­tural cause the extraordinary occurrences at Paluzzi, he began, in his manner, to rally him; but Vivaldi was notin