We've been talking and interviewing
each other all the morning, and I have another interview
this afternoon. I do stipulate for silence. Let each lady
retire to her bedroom with a book."
"I retire to pack," said Harriet. "Please remind Signor
Carella, Philip, that the baby is to be here by half-past
eight this evening."
"Oh, certainly, Harriet. I shall make a point of
reminding him."
"And order a carriage to take us to the evening train."
"And please," said Miss Abbott, "would you order a
carriage for me too?"
"You going?" he exclaimed.
"Of course," she replied, suddenly flushing. "Why not?"
"Why, of course you would be going. Two carriages,
then. Two carriages for the evening train." He looked at
his sister hopelessly. "Harriet, whatever are you up to?
We shall never be ready."
"Order my carriage for the evening train," said Harriet,
and departed.
"Well, I suppose I shall. And I shall also have my
interview with Signor Carella."
Miss Abbott gave a little sigh.
"But why should you mind? Do you suppose that I shall
have the slightest influence over him?"
"No. But--I can't repeat all that I said in the church.
You ought never to see him again. You ought to bundle
Harriet into a carriage, not this evening, but now, and
drive her straight away."
"Perhaps I ought. But it isn't a very big 'ought.'
Whatever Harriet and I do the issue is the same. Why, I can
see the splendour of it--even the humour. Gino sitting up
here on the mountain-top with his cub.
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