“That you have agreed with him—”
Madame and Ciccio both watched Alvina as she sat in her new black dress. Her eyes involuntarily turned to his.
“I don’t know,” she said vaguely. “Have I—?” and she looked at him.
Madame kept silence for some moments. Then she said gravely:
“Well!—yes!—well!” She looked from one to another. “Well, there is a lot to consider. But if you have decided—”
Neither of them answered. Madame suddenly rose and went to Alvina. She kissed her on either cheek.
“I shall protect you,” she said.
Then she returned to her seat.
“What have you said to Miss Houghton?” she said suddenly to Ciccio, tackling him direct, and speaking coldly.
He looked at Madame with a faint derisive smile. Then he turned to Alvina. She bent her head and blushed.