Seeing
nobody near him whom he knew, Andrea almost felt as if he were alone
with her.
But he was mistaken. Turning round in one of the pauses, he caught sight
of Elena standing at the back of the hall with the Princess of
Ferentino. Instantly their eyes met. As he bowed to her, he seemed to
catch a singular smile on Elena's lips.
'To whom are you bowing?' asked Donna Maria, turning round too, 'who are
those ladies?'
'Lady Heathfield and the Princess of Ferentino.'
She noticed a tremor of annoyance in his voice.
'Which of them is the Princess of Ferentino?'
'The fair one.'
'The other is very beautiful.'
Andrea said nothing.
'But is she English?' she asked again.
'No, she is a Roman. She was the widow of the Duke of Scerni, and now
married again to Lord Heathfield.'
'She is very lovely.'
'What is coming next?' Andrea asked hurriedly.
'The Brahms Quartett in C minor.'
'Do you know it?'
'No.'
'The second movement is marvellous.'
He went on speaking to hide his embarrassment.
'When shall I see you again?' he asked.
'I do not know.'
'To-morrow?'
She hesitated. A cloud seemed to have come over her face.
'To-morrow,' she answered, 'if it is fine I shall take Delfina to the
Piazza di Spagna about twelve o'clock.'
'And if it is not fine?'
'On Saturday evening I shall be at the Countess Starnina's----'
The music began once more.
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