Donna Maria Boccapaduli had been waiting for her opportunity and attacked Ghisleri as soon as he had ceased talking with his other neighbour.
"Tell me," she said, "you like Laura Arden very much, do you not?" Of course she made the sign at Laura's name.
"Yes. She is a very charming woman."
"She ought to be grateful to you. She would be, if she knew how you stood up for her just now."
"I should be sorry if she ever came to know that she needed to be defended," answered Ghisleri, almost indifferently.
"She will, of course. It will be all over Rome to-night that you and Campodonico almost quarrelled about her. She is sure to hear about it. Why do you take so much interest in her?"
"Because her husband was my friend," Pietro replied, rather wearily. "I just said so."
"You need not be so angry with me because I ask questions," said Donna Maria with a laugh. "I always do—it is the way to find out what one wants to know."
"And what do you want to know?"
"You will be angry if I ask you."