"Now, Andrea, you promised me not to bother Lucia about her journey, and especially not about the Bishop. You don't want to talk about it, do you, Lucia?"
"Not at all," said Lucia, and the Count laughed rather mockingly. "And you need n't introduce me to Captain Dieppe, either," she went on. "We 've met before."
"Met before?" The Count turned to Dieppe. "Why, where was that?"
"At the ford over the river." It was Lucia now who interposed. "He helped me across. Oh, I 'll tell you all about it."
She began her narrative, which she related with particular fulness. For a while Dieppe watched her. Then he happened to glance towards the Countess. He found that lady's eyes set on him with an intentness full of meaning. The Count's attention was engrossed by Lucia. Emilia gave a slight but emphatic nod. A slow smile dawned on Captain Dieppe's face.
"Indeed," ended Lucia, "I 'm not at all sure that I don't owe my life to Captain Dieppe." And she bestowed on the Captain a very kindly glance. The Count turned to speak to his wife. Lucia nodded sharply at the Captain.
"You were—er—returning from Rome?" he asked.
"From visiting the Bishop of Mesopotamia," called the Countess.
"Yes," said Lucia. "I should never have got across but for you."
"But tell me about yourself, Dieppe," said the Count. "You 're really in a sad state, my dear fellow."