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The voice was low and quiet, the pressure of the hand almost violent. "Indeed! indeed!" thought Signora Albacina. "This is one of the future 'Ladies of the Holy Spirit'!" "For my part," she said aloud, "I am sure I shall keep to my old religion, the religion of the non-concessionists.
But when all the others having left he found himself alone with Signora Albacina and the silent lady, who were waiting for their carriage, he intimated to the former to whom he was bound by ties of friendship that he would willingly tell more, but that he was embarrassed by the presence of a stranger, and he begged to be presented to her. Signora Albacina had forgotten to perform this ceremony.
She felt like an invalid to whom after much frivolous talk the visit of a celebrated surgeon is announced, who is coming to examine the patient. "I would not advise you to go alone," Signora Albacina concluded, smiling. "The ushers saw many things in the times of certain ministers and their deputies! But I am going with you, and I am well known at the Ministry of the Interior!
He replied that he had come to Rome with this desire in his heart; that he had waited for a sign from Divine Providence, and that now the sign had come. Then he was informed that His Holiness would certainly receive him most willingly, and he asked for an audience. This was disclosed to Giovanni Selva by a German Benedictine." "And when is he to go?" Signora Albacina asked.
The Right Honourable Albacina was aware of his wife's friendship for Signora Dessalle as well as of Signora Dessalle's friendship for the Selvas, who in their turn were so devoted to Maironi. He had told his wife that he wished to speak with this lady, for reasons of his own, which he did not intend to reveal. He should expect her at the Ministry of the Interior soon after three o'clock.
Besides, the things that used to happen do not happen now!" The Right Honourable Albacina was with the Minister. A deputy, who had just been requested to enter, recognised Donna Rosetta, and offered to announce her to her husband. He had only a word or two to say, and would come out at once.
Jeanne listened, striving to pay close attention to his words, to prepare a prudent and pertinent answer, and ever conscious of the discomfort the presence of this little Mephistopheles of an Albacina caused her. The Minister's discourse did not prove to be what she had expected; more favourable perhaps, but more embarrassing.
While accompanying the ladies down the dark stairs to their carriage, the Professor remarked: "What is greatly feared is that Benedetto will not live. Mayda at least fears this." Signora Albacina, who was descending the stairs leaning on the Professor's arm, exclaimed, without pausing: "Oh! poor fellow! What is the matter with him?" "Ma! Who can say?" the Professor replied.
As soon as the carriage had started Jeanne raised her veil and took the note from her muff, bending her lovely pale face over it, gazing at it, but not reading it or studying the sense, clear and simple enough, of the words it contained. She was wondering what Signora Albacina could have to tell her; imagining all sorts of impossible things. Had they decided to leave Maironi alone?
Towards noon on Saturday Jeanne received a note from Signora Albacina. The wife of the Under-Secretary of State was expecting Jeanne at her own home at two o'clock. It was in consequence of this invitation that Jeanne drove away shortly before two, regardless of Carlino's protests.
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