"No, do stop!" whispered Philip. "I got your note. I'm
not offended; you're quite right. I really want you; I
could never have done it alone."
No words came from her, but she raised her hands to her
mouth, like one who is in sudden agony.
"Signorina, do stop a little--after all your kindness."
She burst into tears.
"What is it?" said Philip kindly.
She tried to speak, and then went away weeping bitterly.
The two men stared at each other. By a common impulse
they ran on to the loggia. They were just in time to see
Miss Abbott disappear among the trees.
"What is it?" asked Philip again. There was no answer,
and somehow he did not want an answer. Some strange thing
had happened which he could not presume to understand. He
would find out from Miss Abbott, if ever he found out at all.
"Well, your business," said Gino, after a puzzled sigh.
"Our business--Miss Abbott has told you of that."
"No."
"But surely--"
"She came for business. But she forgot about it; so did I."
Perfetta, who had a genius for missing people, now
returned, loudly complaining of the size of Monteriano and
the intricacies of its streets. Gino told her to watch the
baby. Then he offered Philip a cigar, and they proceeded to
the business.
Chapter 8
"Mad!" screamed Harriet,--"absolutely stark, staring, raving mad!"
Philip judged it better not to contradict her.
"What's she here for? Answer me that. What's she doing
in Monteriano in August? Why isn't she in Normandy? Answer
that.
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