“No news so far as I know. I have been buried in the palazzo of the duke, making an inventory of things. Interesting old palace, eh?”
I nodded, and blew a cloud of cigarette-smoke into the air.
“Nice chap, the duke.”
I nodded again.
“Extremely gallant to the ladies.”
Again I nodded, but without much enthusiasm.
“Rather pretty compliment, his giving them those souvenirs.”
“No one but an Italian would have thought of it.”
“But I must say I was disgusted at the poor taste of the ladies.”
“Why so?”