But
the Baron did not order the carriage, and became very thoughtful over
his coffee and his Havana. Sabina had been gone more than four hours,
and that was certainly a longer time than could be necessary for
visiting a dying relative. He said so.
"Perhaps," suggested his wife, "it is the Prince who is ill, and
Signor Sassi has taken Sabina to the country to see her brother."
"No," answered the Baron after a moment's thought. "That family is
eccentric, but the girl would not have gone to the country without a
bag."
"There is something in that," answered the Baroness, and they relapsed
into silence.
Yet she was not satisfied, for, as her husband said, the Conti were
all eccentric. Nevertheless, Sabina would at least have telegraphed,
or sent a line from the station, or Sassi would have done it for her,
for he was a man of business.
After a long time, the Baroness suggested that if her husband knew
Sassi's address, some one should be sent to his house to find out if
he had gone out of town.
"I have not the least idea where he lives," the Baron said. "As long
as I had any business with him, I addressed him at the palace."
"The porter may know," observed the Baroness.
"The porter is an idiot," retorted the Baron, puffing at his cigar.
His wife knew what that meant, and did not enquire why an idiot was
left in charge of the palace.
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