Volterra did not intend to take that way
of making enquiries about Sabina, if he made any at all, and the
Baroness knew that when he did not mean to do a thing, the obstinacy
of a Calabrian mule was docility compared with his dogged opposition.
Moreover, she would not have dared to do it unknown to him. There was
some good reason why he did not intend to look for Sassi.
"Besides," he condescended to say after a long time, "she is quite
safe with that old man, wherever they are."
"Society might not think so, my dear," answered the Baroness in mild
protest.
"Society had better mind its business, and let us take care of ours."
"Yes, my dear, yes, of course!"
She did not agree with him at all. Her ideal of a happy life was quite
different, for she was very much pleased when society took a lively
interest in her doings, and nothing interested her more than the
doings of society. She presently ventured to argue the case.
"Yes, of course," she repeated, by way of preliminary conciliation. "I
was only wondering what people will think, if anything happens to the
girl while she is under our charge."
"What can happen to her?"
"There might be some talk about her going out in this way. The
servants know it, you see, and she is evidently not coming home this
evening. They know that she went out without leaving any message, and
they must think it strange.
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