Malipieri paid no attention to this statement, for he knew the truth,
and he went on to the end, telling everything, up to the moment when
Volterra had at last quitted the palace that morning and had left him
free.
"Poor Sassi!" exclaimed the Princess, when he had finished. "He was a
foolish old man, but he always seemed very willing. Is that all?"
"Yes. That is all. I think I have forgotten nothing."
The Princess looked at him and smiled encouragingly, expecting him to
say something more, but he was grave and silent. Gradually, the smile
faded from her face, till she looked away, and took a cigarette from
the table at her elbow. Still he said nothing. She lit the cigarette
and puffed at it two or three times, slowly and thoughtfully.
"I hope that Donna Sabina is none the worse for the fatigue,"
Malipieri said at last. "She seemed quite well this morning. I
wondered that she had not caught cold."
"She never caught cold easily, even as a child," answered the Princess
indifferently. "This affair may have much more serious consequences
than a cold in the head," she added, after a long pause.
"I think the Volterra couple will be discreet, for their own sakes,"
Malipieri answered.
"Their servants must know that Sabina was out all night."
"They do not know that poor Sassi did not bring her to you here, and
the Baroness will be careful to let them understand that she is here
now, and with you.
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