"You know the Countess Fortiguerra, of course," said the Princess.
"Certainly," answered Guido, who had not recognised the lady at all, and was glad to be told who she was, and that he knew her.
Lamberti watched him closely, for he understood every shade of his friend's expression and manner. Guido shook hands with a pleasant smile, and then glanced at Cecilia.
"My nephew, Guido d'Este," said the Princess, introducing him.
Cecilia looked at him quietly, and bent her head in acknowledgment of the introduction.
"My daughter," murmured the Countess Fortiguerra, with satisfaction.
"Mademoiselle Palladio and her mother have just come back from Paris," explained Monsieur Leroy officiously, as Guido nodded to him.
Guido caught the name, and was glad of the information it conveyed, and he sat down between the young girl and her mother. Lamberti was now almost sure that his friend was not especially struck by Cecilia's face; but she looked at him with some interest, which was not at all to be wondered at, considering his looks, his romantic name, and his half-royal birth. For the first time Lamberti envied him a little, and was ashamed of it.
Barely an hour earlier he had wished that he could make Guido more like himself, and now he wished that he were more like Guido.
"The Countess has been kind enough to ask me to her garden party," Guido said, looking at his aunt, for he instinctively connected the latter's anxiety to see him with the invitation.