A rather insipid young woman who had come, "Goodness only knows
why!" the two Friends thought angrily, announced, in quiet tones, that
she had seen him twice, and that he was ugly.
"That is, of course, according to _your_ idea of beauty, signora!" one
of the Friends remarked sourly, while the other added in a low tone,
intended to enhance its sting, a poisonous _"Naturellement!"_
The insipid young woman, her colour deepening with embarrassment and
vexation, replied that he was pale and thin, and the two Friends
exchanged glances and smiles of tacit contempt. But where had she seen
him? Two other insipid young women were curious to know this.
"Why, on both occasions in my sister-in-law's garden," she answered.
"He is always in the garden!" the Marchesa exclaimed. "Does the angel
grow in a flower-bed or in a pot?"
The insipid young woman laughed, and the Friends shot furious glances at
the Marchesa.
Tea, which had been included in Guarnacci's invitation, was then brought
in.
"A delightful conversation, is it not?" Signora Albacina, wife of the
Honourable Albacina, Undersecretary of the Home Office, said softly to
the lady in black, who had not once spoken.
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