h, and it could hardly be supposed that
Monsieur Leroy would attempt to oppose his protectress.

Just then there was a general move to go away, and the conversation was
interrupted, much to Cecilia's satisfaction. There was a great stir in
the wide hall, for though many people had slipped away without
disturbing the Countess by taking leave, there were many of her nearer
friends who wished to say a word to her before going, just to tell her
that they had enjoyed themselves vastly, that Cecilia was a model of
beauty and good behaviour, and of everything charming, and that the
villa was the most delightful place they had ever seen. By these means
they conveyed the impression that they would all accept any future
invitation which the Countess might send them, and they audibly
congratulated one another upon her having at last established herself in
Rome, adding that Cecilia was a great acquisition to society. More than
that it was manifestly impossible to say in a few well-chosen words.
Even in a language as rich as Italian, the number of approving
adjectives is limited, and each can only have one superlative. The
Countess Fortiguerra's guests distributed these useful words amongst
them and exhausted the supply.

"It has been a great success, my dear," said the Countess, when she and
her daughter were left alone in the hall. "Did you see the Duchess of
Pallacorda's hat?"

"No, mother. At least, I did not notice it." Cecilia was nibbling a
cake, thoughtfully.

"My dear!" cried the Countess. "It was the most wonderful thing you ever
saw. She was in terror lest it should come too late. Monsieur Leroy knew
all about it."

"I cannot bear that man," Cecilia said, still nibbling, for she was
hungry.

"I cannot say that I like him, either. But the Duchess's new hat----"

Cecilia heard her voice, but was too much occupied with her own thoughts
to listen attentively, while the good Countess criticised the hat in
question, admired its beauties, corrected its defects, put it a little
further back on the Duchess's pretty head, and, indeed, did everything
with it which every woman can do, in imagination, with every imaginary
hat. Finally, she asked Cecilia if she should not like to have one
exactly like it.

"No, thank you. Not now, at all events. Mother dear," and she looked
affectionately at the Countess, "what a deal of trouble you have taken
to make it all beautiful for me to-day. I am so grateful!"

She kissed her mother