---'

Lord Heathfield returned. They passed on into an adjoining room, making
the tour of the apartments. Everywhere they met workmen hanging papers,
draping curtains, carrying furniture. Each time Elena asked his opinion,
Andrea had to make an effort before answering her, in order to disguise
his ill-humour and his impatience. At last, he managed to seize a moment
when her husband was occupied with one of the men to say to her in a low
voice, unable any longer to conceal his chagrin--

'Why inflict this torture upon me? I expected to find you alone.'

Passing through one of the doors, Elena's hat caught in the portiere and
was dragged out of place. She laughed and called to Mumps to come and
unfasten her veil. And Andrea was forced to look on while those odious
hands touched the hair of the woman he desired, ruffling the little
curls at the back of her neck, those curls which under his caresses had
seemed to breathe out a mysterious perfume, unlike any other, and
sweeter and more intoxicating than all the rest.

He hurriedly took his leave under pretext of being due at lunch with
some one else.

'We shall move in here on the 1st of February,' Elena said to him, 'and
then I hope you will be one of our _habitues_.'

Andrea bowed.

He would have given worlds not to be obliged to touch Lord Heathfield's
hand. He went away filled with rancour, jealousy and disgust.

CHAPTER V

At a late hour that same evening, happening to look in at the Club,
where he had not been for a long time, whom should he see at one of the
card-tables but Don Manuel Ferres y Capdevila. Andrea greeted him with
effusion and inquired after Donna Maria and Delfina--whether they were
still at Sienna--when they were coming to Rome.

Don Manuel, who remembered to have won several thousand lire from the
young Count during the last evening at Schifanoja, and had recognised in
Andrea Sperelli a player of the best form and perfect style, responded
with the utmost courtesy and cordiality.

'They have been here some days already; they arrived on Monday,' he
answered. 'Maria was much disappointed not to find the Marchesa
d'Ateleta in town. I am sure it would give her the greatest pleasure if
you would call on her. We are in the Via Nazionale. Here is the exact
address.'

He handed one of his cards to Andrea and then returned to the game.

The Duke di Beffi, who was standing with a knot of gentlemen, called
Andrea over to them.

'Why did