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Lamberti was as lean as a man trained for a race, and the cords stood out on his throat when he spoke, but nothing seemed to tire him. The good Countess lost her fresh colour and grew listless, but she complained only of the heat and the solitude of Rome in summer, and if she felt any impatience she never showed it.

She went on, and Lamberti kept by her side. "You can seem surprised when she tells you," he said. "You have definitely broken your engagement, then? Guido had time to tell me so." "Yes, I could not lie to him. It was very hard, but I am glad it is all over, though he is very angry now." They reached the last landing before the court without meeting any one, and she paused again.

If Lamberti saw Cecilia often, Guido would soon perceive that instead of mutual dislike and repulsion the strongest sympathy existed between them, and that they would always understand each other without words. It would be impossible to conceal that very long. Besides, they would love each other, if they met frequently; about that Lamberti had not the smallest doubt.

"Did he draw it from some description?" "He drew it on the spot," answered Guido. "The temple was standing then. But as for your dream, it is quite possible that you may have seen this same drawing in a shop window at Spithoever's or Loescher's, for instance, without noticing it, and that the picture seemed quite new to you when you dreamt it. That is a simple explanation." "Very," said Lamberti.

When Lamberti entered the drawing-room, he was aware that the Princess was established in a high arm-chair near a tea-table, that Monsieur Leroy was coming towards him, and that an elderly lady in a hat was seated near the Princess in an attitude which may be described as one of respectful importance.

Why, the poor man is in bed, of course!" "I hope so," Cecilia answered unmoved. "But Signor Lamberti could carry him to his sitting room." "Who ever heard of such a thing!" "We could go in a cab, with thick veils," Cecilia continued. "No one would ever know." "Think of Petersen, my dear! Women of our class do not wear thick veils in the street.

"Your daughter has decided to do what seems best for everybody," Lamberti said. "She will tell you all about it. Let me thank you for having allowed me to talk it over with her. Good night." "Do stay and have some tea!" urged the Countess, and she wondered why Cecilia, standing behind Lamberti, frowned and shook her head.

Then, since Lamberti could not leave Rome, she and her mother would go away on a long journey, to Russia, perhaps, or to America, or China, and they would never come back. It must be easy enough to avoid one particular person in the whole world. This she would do, but she would not deny that she loved him.

"This is most charming!" she said, in a voice that was not cracked, but rang false. "I expect my nephew, Guido, at any moment. He is your great friend, is he not? Yes, I never forget anything. This is my nephew Guido's great friend," she continued volubly, and turning to the elderly lady on her right, "Prince Lamberti." "Don Lamberto Lamberti," said Monsieur Leroy in a low voice, correcting her.

The rain ran down his cheeks, but the colour did not change." "It is all the more disgusting," retorted Lamberti, illogically, but with strong emphasis. Guido rose from his seat rather wearily. As he stood up, he was much taller than his friend, who had seemed the larger man while both were seated. "I am glad that we have talked this over," he said. "Not that talking can help matters, of course.