"On the contrary, it is a great deal. It makes unnecessary laundry and uses up the linen—we can't get any more, you know."
At once his gay humor changed to sulkiness. "Va bene, va bene! let us drop that subject."
Immediately the princess softened, as though she had unthinkingly hurt him, "I did not mean it as a complaint; but you know, dear, we do have to be careful."
But the prince stared moodily at his finger-nails.
She began a new topic cheerfully. "I hope to get a letter from Nina to-day; there has been time for an answer."
Sansevero had been quite interested in the idea of a possible visit from Nina Randolph, his wife's niece, a much exploited American heiress. But now he paid no attention. He still stared at his nails. The princess scrutinized his face as though in the habit of reading its expression, and at last she said gently:
"What have you in mind, dear? Tell me—come, out with it, I see quite well there is something."
For answer he sat up, took a cigarette from his pocket, put it between his lips, searched in both pockets for a match, and, failing to find one, sat with the unlighted cigarette between his lips, sulkier than ever.
He felt her looking at him, and swayed his shoulders exactly as though some one were trying to hold him. "Really, Leonora," he burst out, "this question of money all the time is far from pleasant!"
A helpless, frightened look came into her face. It grew suddenly pinched; instinctively she put her hand over her heart.