moment Angelo appeared on the fountain terrace, and came quickly up
the loggia steps. He shook hands with Idina and greeted Miss Jewett with
the grave, pleasant courtesy that was not unlike Vanno's, but colder and
more remote, except with those for whom he really cared.

Mary wondered if Miss Bland felt the chill of his manner.

They went in to luncheon, and the conversation was of abstract things.
If once or twice it seemed that Idina wished to turn the talk to old
days which had given memories in common to her and Angelo, the Prince
checked her quietly by asking some question about Ireland or America.
And it struck Mary, who was feeling vaguely sorry for this cousin held
at arm's length, that Miss Jewett watched Idina with interest and even
curiosity, as if she were waiting for her to do or say something in
particular.

At last the Princess rose, smiling at Miss Bland. "Shall we have coffee
on the loggia?" she asked.

"We should both like that, shouldn't we, Miss Jewett?" Idina said, with
almost unnecessary emphasis. As she spoke, she looked at her friend.

Angelo opened the door for them to pass out, and it was evident that he
did not mean to follow at once. Seeing his intention, Idina stopped.
"Aren't you coming with us, Angelo?" she asked.

"I thought of smoking a cigar and joining you later," he answered.

"Please come," she said. "Miss Jewett and I won't be staying long; and
I'm leaving with her to-morrow. I've only been hanging on here for her
to arrive. Nothing else would have kept me so long."

"I will come with pleasure," Angelo said. "My cigar can wait."

"Doesn't your wife let you smoke when you're with her?" Idina asked
sharply.

"Of course I let him!" exclaimed Marie, "though sometimes on the loggia
he won't if the wind blows the smoke in our faces. To-day there's no
wind, and we'll all smoke except Mary, who hates it. I'm sure you're
more modern?"

"I'm afraid I too am old-fashioned," said Idina.

"And I'm too nervous," added her friend.

"I should like to see Angelo smoke to-day," Idina went on. "It will
remind me of old times. There's a balcony at Monte Della Robbia where we
used to sit by moonlight sometimes, and while Angelo smoked I told him
Irish fairy stories which he loved to hear. He was romantic and poetic
in those days. Now I have another story to tell--not a fairy story this
time. Still, it's quite interesting. At least, I think it is, and I want
to see whether you agree with