From
what Sabina had said to the Baroness in his presence, and from his
judgment of the girl's character, he felt certain that she would tell
her mother the whole story at once. As they had acknowledged to each
other in the vaults, they were neither of them good at inventing
falsehoods, and Sabina would surely tell the truth. In the extremely
improbable case that she had not been obliged to say anything about
the events of the night, his visit would not seem at all out of place.
He had seen a good deal of Sabina during her mother's absence, and it
was proper that he should present himself in order to make the
Princess's acquaintance.
He studied her face quickly as he came forward, and made up his mind
that she expected him, though she looked up with an air of languid
surprise as he entered. She leaned forward a little in her comfortable
seat, and held out her plump hand.
"I think I knew your mother, and my daughter has told me about you,"
she said. "I am glad to see you."
"You are very kind," Malipieri answered, raising her hand to his lips,
which encountered a large, cool sapphire. "I have had the pleasure of
meeting Donna Sabina several times."
"Yes, I know." The Princess laughed. "Sit down here beside me, and
tell me all about your strange adventure. You are really the man I
mean, are you not?" she asked, still smiling.
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