Donna Elena had been obliged to leave Rome
for pecuniary reasons, to work some 'operation' which should extricate
her from the serious embarrassments into which her outrageous
extravagance had plunged her. The marriage with Humphrey Heathfield, who
was Marquis of Mount Saint Michael and Earl of Broadford, and besides
possessing a considerable fortune was related to the highest nobility of
Great Britain, had saved her from ruin. Donna Elena had managed matters
with the utmost adroitness and succeeded marvellously in steering clear
of the threatening peril. It was not to be denied that the interval of
her three years of widowhood had been none too chaste a prelude to a
second marriage--neither chaste nor prudent--nevertheless, there was
also no denying that Elena Muti was a great lady----
'Ah, my boy, a grand creature!' said Musellaro, 'as you very well know.'
Andrea said nothing.
'But take my advice,' his friend went on, throwing away the cigarette
which had gone out while he talked, 'do not resume your relations with
her. It is the same with love as with tobacco--once out, it will not
bear relighting. Let us go and get a cup of tea from Donna Giulia
Moceto. They tell me one may go to her house after the theatre--it is
never too late.'
They were close by the Palazzo Borghese.
'You can,' answered Andrea, 'I am going home to bed.
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