tain prompt dryness: "You must go immediately--it's a
summons." The Ambassador, using authority as well, had already somehow
possessed himself of her hand, which he drew into his arm, and she was
further conscious as she went off with him that, though still speaking
for her benefit, Amerigo had turned to Fanny Assingham. He would explain
afterwards--besides which she would understand for herself. To
Fanny, however, he had laughed--as a mark, apparently, that for this
infallible friend no explanation at all would be necessary.

XV

It may be recorded none the less that the Prince was the next moment to
see how little any such assumption was founded. Alone with him now Mrs.
Assingham was incorruptible. "They send for Charlotte through YOU?"

"No, my dear; as you see, through the Ambassador."

"Ah, but the Ambassador and you, for the last quarter-of-an-hour, have
been for them as one. He's YOUR ambassador." It may indeed be further
mentioned that the more Fanny looked at it the more she saw in it.
"They've connected her with you--she's treated as your appendage."

"Oh, my 'appendage,'" the Prince amusedly exclaimed--"cara mia, what a
name! She's treated, rather, say, as my ornament and my glory. And it's
so remarkable a case for a mother-in-law that you surely can't find
fault with it."

"You've ornaments enough, it seems to me--as you've certainly glories
enough--without her. And she's not the least little bit," Mrs. Assingham
observed, "your mother-in-law. In such a matter a shade of difference is
enormous. She's no relation to you whatever, and if she's known in
high quarters but as going about with you, then--then--!" She failed,
however, as from positive intensity of vision. "Then, then what?" he
asked with perfect good-nature.

"She had better in such a case not be known at all."

"But I assure you I never, just now, so much as mentioned her. Do you
suppose I asked them," said the young man, still amused, "if they didn't
want to see her? You surely don't need to be shown that Charlotte speaks
for herself--that she does so above all on such an occasion as this and
looking as she does to-night. How, so looking, can she pass unnoticed?
How can she not have 'success'? Besides," he added as she but watched
his face, letting him say what he would, as if she wanted to see how he
would say it, "besides, there IS always the fact that we're of the same
connection, of--what is your wo