"What a nuisance people are! Did you say that we were not at home?"
"Yes, my lady," said the footman; "but his highness wrote on the card, my lady."
"His highness!" exclaimed Violet contemptuously. "Every second man one meets in Italy is a count or a prince! What is it he has written, Austin? Your Italian is better, than mine."
Austin Ambrose took the card.
"This is not Italian, it is English," he said. "'Prince Rivani begs the honor of the Earl of Ferrers' presence at a conversazione. Palace Augustus, this evening at ten o'clock.'"
"I thought it was understood that we did not visit?" said Violet languidly. "Why do people bother us? Prince Rivani! This is the second time he has left his card."
"His highness is very attentive, at any rate," said Austin Ambrose. "Shall you go?"
"Seeing that I am not asked," said Violet, "it is not very probable."
"Oh, I expect it is one of those gatherings which these Italians delight in: a little music, a little weak lemonade, and mild tobacco. Blair might like to go."
"Here is Blair to answer for himself," said Violet, as Blair strode on to the balcony.