"Thanks, signor," replied Beatrice, with her rich voice, that came forth as it were like a gush of music, and with a mirthful expression half childish and half woman-like.
"Not yet, not yet, Signor Giovanni Guasconti," said the professor, smiling, but at the same time scrutinizing the youth with an earnest glance.
Signor Giovanni, I will stake my life upon it, you are the subject of one of Rappaccini's experiments!"
"THAT, signor professor, were an untoward experiment."
"Signor! signor!" whispered she, still with a smile over the whole breadth of her visage, so that it looked not unlike a grotesque carving in wood, darkened by centuries.
"You are a connoisseur in flowers, signor," said Beatrice, with a smile, alluding to the bouquet which he had flung her from the window.
Would you deign to be my instructress, I should prove an apter scholar than if taught by Signor Rappaccini himself."
But pray, signor, do not believe these stories about my science.
"Signor professor," said he, "you were my father's friend; perchance, too, it is your purpose to act a friendly part towards his son.