The trouble is that you
and your man are both on the black book, and since the affair has come
to the notice of the government my colleagues are naturally surprised
that you should both be living in a house that belongs to me."
"You can explain to your colleagues that you have let the apartment in
the palace to me, and that as I pay my rent regularly you cannot turn
me out without notice." Malipieri smiled indifferently.
"Surely," said the Baron, affecting some surprise, "if I ask you, as a
favour, to move somewhere else, you will do so!"
To tell the truth, he was not prepared for Malipieri's extreme
forbearance, for he had expected an outbreak of temper, at the least,
and he still feared a positive refusal. Instead, the young man did not
seem to care a straw.
"Of course," he said, "if you ask it as a favour, I cannot refuse.
When should you like me to go?"
"You are really too kind!" The Baron was genuinely delighted and
almost grateful--as near to feeling gratitude, perhaps, as he had ever
been in his life. "I should hate to hurry you," he continued. "But
really, since you are so very good, I think the sooner you can make it
convenient to move, the better it will be for every one."
"I could not manage to pack my books and drawings so soon as to-
morrow," said Malipieri.
"Oh, no! certainly not! By all means take a couple of days about it.
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