"I once lived there a short time, two years ago. Who gave you the address? Not Count Spicca?"
"No."
Orsino hesitated to say more. He did not like to admit that he had received the address from Maria Consuelo's maid, and it might seem incredible that the woman should have given the information unasked. At the same time the fact that the address was to all intents and purposes a false one tallied with the maid's spontaneous statement in regard to her mistress's mental alienation.
"Why will you not tell me?" asked Maria Consuelo.
"The answer involves a question which does not concern me. The address was evidently intended to deceive me. The person who gave it attempted to deceive me about a far graver matter, too. Let us say no more about it. Of course you never got the letter?"
"Of course not."
A short silence followed which Orsino felt to be rather awkward. Maria Consuelo looked at him suddenly.
"Did my maid tell you?" she asked.
"Yes—since you ask me. She met me in the corridor after my last visit and thrust the address upon me."
"I thought so," said Maria Consuelo.