There was barely: room for the five people in the
tiny dining-room. It was fortunate the other two had not come. In fact,
neither the Abbe Marinier nor Don Fare was expected, but others who
had been expected were absent. A monk and a priest, men of repute from
northern Italy, who should have been present, had both written to
apologise for their absence, to the lively regret of Selva, of Fare,
and of Leyni. Marinier, on the other hand, proffered his apologies for
having intruded. Dane was responsible for his presence, as Leyni was for
the presence of Don Paolo Fare. Selva protested. Friends of his friends
were, of course, always welcome. Leyni and Dane both knew they were free
to bring any one in whom they had confidence, any one who shared their
views. Maria was silent; she was not greatly pleased with Abbe Marinier.
She also felt that Leyni and Dane would have done well had they
abstained from introducing strangers without notifying Giovanni.
Marinier spoke, with slightly knitted brows, after a close scrutiny of
his bean soup.
"I fear," said he, "we shall weary Signora Selva if we talk now of the
subject to be discussed at the meeting.
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