berti answered, almost in a whisper. "God bless you."

He afterwards thought it strange that he should have said that, but at
the time it seemed quite natural, and Cecilia was not at all surprised.
She smiled and bent her graceful head. Then she joined her mother, and
Lamberti disappeared.

"My dear," said the Countess, "you remember Monsieur Leroy? You met him
at Princess Anatolie's," she added, in a stage whisper.

Monsieur Leroy bowed, and Cecilia nodded. She had forgotten his
existence, and now remembered that she had not liked him, and that she
had said something sharp to him. He spoke first.

"The Princess wished me to tell you how very sorry she is that she
cannot be here this afternoon. She has one of her attacks."

"I am very sorry," Cecilia answered. "Pray tell her how sorry I am."

"Thank you. But I daresay Guido brought you the same message."

"Who is Guido?" asked Cecilia, raising her eyebrows a little.

"Guido d'Este. I thought you knew. You are surprised that I should call
him by his Christian name? You see, I have known him ever since he was
quite a boy. To all intents and purposes, he was brought up by the
Princess."

"And you are often at the house, I suppose."

"I live there," explained Monsieur Leroy. "To change the subject, my
dear young lady, I have an apology to make, which I hope you will
accept."

Cecilia did not like to be called any one's "dear young lady," and her
manner froze instantly.

"I cannot imagine why you should apologise to me," she said coldly.

"I was rude to you the other day, about your courses of philosophy, or
something of that sort. Was not that it?"

"Indeed, I had quite forgotten," Cecilia answered, with truth. "It did
not matter in the least what you thought of my reading Nietzsche, I
assure you."

Monsieur Leroy reddened and laughed awkwardly, for he was particularly
anxious to win her good grace.

"I am not very clever, you know," he said humbly. "You must forgive me."

"Oh certainly," replied Cecilia. "Your explanation is more than
adequate. In my mind, the matter had already explained itself. Will you
have some tea?"

"No, thank you. My nerves are rather troublesome. If I take tea in the
afternoon I cannot sleep at night. I met Guido going away as I came. He
was enthusiastic!"

"In what way?"

"About the villa, and the house, and the flowers, and about you." He
lowered his voice to a confidential tone as he spoke the last words.

"About me?"