‘Won’t you stay and see Signor Pagliadini?’ asked Roma, rather surprised at his decision.
‘No, thanks; I don’t think I’ll bother about it. He’ll only detain me longer, and Maud will be disappointed. I will see you again soon. No doubt the Italian converse will cheer your father very much more than my society could do.’
So Tor took his departure in a more precipitate fashion than usual, although his ease of manner did not in any way desert him, and he laughed and chatted with Roma up to the moment of his exit. She rather wondered why he had not stayed to see the Signor; but men were odd, as Maud had always impressed upon her, and did not act as women would do under the same circumstances.
In a short time a summons came for her to join the gentlemen in Mr. Meredith’s study. She found that the tea had been carried there; and when she entered, one glance at her father’s face showed her how greatly he had been charmed by the stranger’s visit.
‘Roma, my dear, Signor Pagliadini has kindly consented to become our guest for a few days. He comes, as you know, as an intimate friend of our esteemed relative Alberto Mattei. It is a greater pleasure, Signor, than you can well understand, for a man in my isolated position to receive a visit from one who comes direct from the land of his fondest dreams—from the land where the brightest, the happiest years of his life were spent! Art is my passion—my deepest delight! and the converse with one who knows and loves her well is more to me than you can easily comprehend. Your ready acceptance of the humble hospitality which I can offer, has given me more pleasure than I can well express.’
The stranger made a suitable reply to this flowery address, showing that the advantage was all on his side, and the obligation a very deep one; and after Meredith had made his rejoinder to this declaration, he turned again to his daughter.
‘Philip has been here, has he not?’
‘Yes, father.’
‘I heard his step. I knew he had passed the door twice. How was it he remained so short a time?’
‘He was in haste, father. He came to ask after you, but he was going to ride with Maud.’