‘Ah, he is a kind brother. Did you tell him Signor Pagliadini was here?’
‘Yes.’
‘Signor Pagliadini knows Philip.’
‘Yes, so I told him; but he could not wait. However, he will see him another day.’
The Italian smiled in rather an odd fashion.
‘My old friend Filippo was not anxious, then, to renew the acquaintance?’
Roma laughed in her quiet way, rather amused at what she thought to be his pique.
‘Philip is a thorough Englishman, Signor,’ she answered, explaining away, as best she could, what had evidently been taken somewhat amiss. ‘He goes his own way in his own fashion, turning neither to right nor left. He had promised to ride with Maud, and ride with Maud he would, in defiance of all other claims upon his time.’
‘Ah, just so; I perceive. The sister stands always first. It is quite as it should be.’
‘He is very fond of Maud,’ said Roma, thinking he was still offended, trying to lead the conversation into other channels.