"It is an invitation to dinner from Adele," she said. "It is for the day after to-morrow, shall we accept?"
Arden's face grew thoughtful. He could not be sure whether the invitation had been sent before his interview with Savelli, or since. It was therefore not easy to decide upon the wisest course.
"Better to accept it, is it not?" asked Laura. "It is of no use to make an open breach."
"No. It is of no use. Accept, dear. It is more sensible."
Neither of them liked the thought of dining at the Palazzo Savelli just then, and Laura, at least, knew that she would find it hard to behave as though nothing had happened. Both would have been very much surprised, could they have known why they were asked, and that the idea had originated with Pietro Ghisleri.
On the previous evening, Gerano had taken pains to see his daughter alone at her own house, on pretence of talking to her about business. With considerable skill he had led the conversation up to the required point, and had laid a trap for her.
"Do you see much of the Ardens just now?" he asked.
"No. We do not meet often," answered Adele, with a little movement of the shoulders.
"I wish you did. I wish you saw them every day," observed the Prince, more gravely.
"Do you, papa? Why?"