“It is altogether unnecessary,” Peter replied.
“Let me try and entertain you instead, then!”
It was precisely at that instant that Andrea had sent for his sister. Peter watched their brief conversation with much interest and intense amusement. She was being told not to invite him there again and she was rebelling! Without a doubt, he had made a conquest! She returned to him flushed and with a dangerous glitter in her eyes.
“Monsieur le Baron,” she said, leading him on one side, “I am ashamed and angry.”
“Your brother is annoyed because you have asked me here to-morrow night?” he asked, quickly.
“It is so,” she confessed. “Indeed, I thank you that you have spared me the task of putting my brother’s discourtesy into words. Andrea takes violent fancies like that sometimes. I am ashamed, but what can I do?”
“Nothing, mademoiselle,” he admitted, with a sigh. “I obey, of course. Did your brother mention the source of his aversion to me?”
“He is too absurd sometimes,” she declared. “One must treat him like a great baby.”
“Nevertheless, there must be a reason,” Peter persisted, gently.
“He has heard some foolish thing from Count von Hern,” she admitted, reluctantly. “Do not let us think anything more about it. In a few days it will have passed. And meanwhile—”