He gave her minute directions, as far as he could, about the general treatment of the patient, which Maria repeated and got by heart.
"I will let you know before twenty-three o'clock what the cardinal says to the plan," she said. "In this way you will be able to come up by daylight."
As Dalrymple took his leave, he held out his hand, forgetting that he was in Italy.
"It is not our custom," said Maria Addolorata, thrusting each of her own hands into the opposite sleeve.
But there was nothing cold in her tone. On the contrary, Dalrymple fancied that she was almost on the point of laughing at that moment, and he blushed at his awkwardness. But she could not see his face.
"Your most humble servant," he said, bowing to her.
"Good day, Signor Doctor," she answered, through the open door, as the portress jingled her keys and prepared to follow Dalrymple.
So he took his departure, not without much satisfaction at the result of his first attempt.