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She held her court among the seniors, as no doubt, thought the Master, she had been accustomed to do from the days of her short frocks. He envisaged the apartment in the Palazzo Barberini whereof the fame had often reached Oxford, for the Risboroughs held open house there for the English scholar and professor on his travels.
But she too was aware of the tall girl in white on the neighbouring deck, and she turned enquiringly to Falloden. "Do you know who she is?" "The Risboroughs' daughter Lady Constance Bledlow." Mrs. Manson's eyebrows went up. "Indeed! Of course I knew her parents intimately! Where is she staying?" Falloden briefly explained. "But how very interesting! I must call upon her at once.
"when he was quite a boy; and my people were small squires under the shelter of the Risboroughs before your father sold the property and settled abroad. I was brought up with all your people your Aunt Marcia, and your Aunt Winifred, and all the rest of them. I saw your mother once in Rome and loved her, like everybody else.
He himself had not been in Rome for fifteen years, and had never made the Risboroughs' acquaintance in Italy.
But a certain hospitable or democratic instinct made her go downstairs again and bring up a small vase of flowers like those in Connie's room, and put it on the maid's table. The maid was English, but she had lived a long time abroad with the Risboroughs. Sounds! Yes, that was the fly stopping at the front door! Nora flew downstairs, in a flush of excitement.
It was always difficult for her to realise financial trouble on a small scale. Ruin on the Falloden scale was intelligible to one who had heard much talk of the bankruptcies of some of the great Roman families. But the carking care that may come from lack of a few hundred pounds, this the Risboroughs' daughter had to learn; and she put her mind to it eagerly.
It appeared that a certain travelled and artistic Princess had been spending the week-end in a ducal house in the neighbourhood. So, too, had the ex-Viceroy. And hearing from him that the only daughter "of those dear Risboroughs" was at Oxford, twelve miles off, her Royal Highness, through him, had "commanded" Constance for tea under the ducal roof on Tuesday.
After six months he was quite restored to health, and he went back to Oxford to devote himself to his college work. Twice afterwards he had gone to Rome on short visits to see the Risboroughs. Then had come the crash of Lady Risborough's sudden death followed by that of her husband.
His fellowship, and some small savings, gave him all the money he wanted, but he was starved of everything else that Man's kindred can generally provide sympathy, and understanding without words, and the little gaieties and kindnesses of every day. These the Risboroughs offered him without stint, and rejoiced to see him taking hold on life again under the sunshine they made for him.
Nor did the afternoon visit, when the Risboroughs, with great difficulty, had made time for the family call on the Hoopers, supply any more agreeable memories. Ella Risborough had been so rapturously glad to see her brother, and in spite of a real effort to be friendly had had so little attention to spare for his wife!
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