Holla, zip! they are off! La Favorita in the lead--America second,
coming strong." And so it went on. Favorita had returned to her position
by the door. She was more quiet, and in repose it might be seen that her
face looked drawn--her eyes, if one observed closely, beneath the black
penciling showed traces of recent weeping. "Tell me something," she said
to Count Rosso. "What is she like, this Miss Randolph? Is it true"--her
breath came short--"that Giovanni is trailing after her?"
"Say after her millions, rather! I hope he gets them for your sake,
Fava. Then you can have the house in the country that you have always
wanted."
"I'd rather he got his money some other way. It does not please me that
he should marry!"
"Aren't you unreasonable? Can't you give him up for a few weeks?"
"If you call marriage a few weeks."
Rosso, laughing, threw his hand up. "How long does a honeymoon last? A
few weeks and he will be back."
But the dancer's eyes filled, and she set her sharp little teeth
together. "I cannot bear it! _Ah Dio!_ I cannot! She is young--and
surely she loves him."
"Every woman thinks the man she prefers is alike beloved by every other
woman he meets! I have not heard that she loves him!"
"Be quiet about what you have heard--what I want to know is, does he
return it? I am told she is attractive; if she is--I shall----"
Count Rosso chanced upon the right remark in answering, "Could a man, do
you, think, who has had your favor, be satisfied with a cold American
girl? Do not be stupid!"
Favorita was slightly pacified.
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