“There are women and women,” said Caliphronas enigmatically. “This one does not love me yet, but she will.”
“When?”
The Greek shot a keen glance at Maurice, and then observed, in an indifferent voice,—
“When I do what I am requested to do.”
Both men looked steadily at one another, and it seemed to Maurice as though there were a certain amount of menace visible on the face of Caliphronas, but such look speedily passed away, and he bounded lightly across the turf to where the cat was sitting.
To the surprise of both the Rector and Maurice, she let this stranger take her up in his arms and smooth her fur.
“Dear, dear!” said the Rector in an astonished tone; “what power do you possess over the animal world, Count? That cat will not let any one touch her as a rule.”
“Oh, all animals take to me,” replied Caliphronas lightly, letting the cat down gently on the ground. “I can do anything with horses and dogs.”
“Donatello!” whispered Maurice to himself. “He looks innocent enough, and yet that look—I must speak to Crispin, and ask his opinion of this man.”
Meanwhile the Count was giving Carriston a description of his miseries at the Royland Arms.