gh her the money she had lost in speculations.

This explanation did not occur to Guido, simply because he was bored and
was already thinking of an excuse for getting away after staying as
short a time as possible.

"I hope you will come," said Cecilia, rather unexpectedly.

"Of course he will," the Princess answered for him, in an encouraging
tone.

"The villa is really very pretty," continued the young girl.

"Let me see," said Guido, who liked her voice as soon as she spoke, "the
Villa Palladio--I do not quite remember where it is."

"It used to be the Villa Madama," explained Monsieur Leroy. "I have
always wondered who the 'Madama' was, after whom it was called. It seems
such a foolish name."

The Princess looked displeased, and bit her lip a little.

"I think," said Guido, as if suggesting a possibility, rather than
stating a fact, "that she was a daughter of the Emperor Charles the
Fifth, who was Duchess of Parma."

"Of course, of course!" cried Monsieur Leroy, eagerly assenting, "I had
forgotten!"

"My daughter's guardians bought it for her not long ago," explained the
Countess Fortiguerra, "with my approval, and we have of course changed
the name."

"Naturally," said Guido, gravely, but looking at Lamberti, who almost
smiled under his red beard. "And you approved of the change,
Mademoiselle," Guido added, turning to Cecilia, and with an
interrogation in his voice.

"Not at all," she answered, with sudden coldness. "It was Goldbirn--"

"Yes," said the Countess, weakly, "it was Baron Goldbirn who insisted
upon it, in spite of us."

"Goldbirn--Goldbirn," repeated the Princess vaguely. "The name has a
familiar sound."

"Your Highness has a current account with them in Vienna," observed
Monsieur Leroy.

"Yes, yes, certainly. Doudou acts as my secretary sometimes, you know."

The information seemed necessary, as Monsieur Leroy's position had been
far from clear.

"Baron Goldbirn was associated with Cecilia's father in some railways in
South America," said the Countess, "and is her principal guardian. He
will always continue to manage her fortune for her, I hope."

Clearly, Cecilia was an heiress, and was to marry Guido d'Este as soon
as the matter could be arranged. That was the Princess's plan. Lamberti
thought that it remained to be seen whether Guido would agree to the
match.

"Has Baron Goldbirn made many--improvements--in the Villa Madama?"
enquired Guido, hesitating a little, perhaps i