"Dame! you don't spare me. I have called on you for a purpose!"
"That goes without saying. When one requires a friend one always knows where to find him. Well, Marchese, and in what way can I assist you?"
"I will tell you! but I see you do not ask after my wife?"
"I trust Madame Beltrami is well!" I said stiffly, not feeling any particularly warm feeling towards that lady.
"Yes! her health is good."
"And you are happy, Beltrami?"
"Tolerably! But tell me, how is Pallanza and his wife?"
"Oh, they live in Elysium, Marchese. At present they are in Milan, but leave next week for Madrid, where Pallanza is going to sing."
"He'll have to go by himself, then!"
"What do you mean?"