The music continued; the light began to fade; a gentle warmth pervaded the air, and Donna Maria's violets breathed a fuller fragrance. Seeing nobody near him whom he knew, Andrea almost felt as if he were alone with her.
But he was mistaken. Turning round in one of the pauses, he caught sight of Elena standing at the back of the hall with the Princess of Ferentino. Instantly their eyes met. As he bowed to her, he seemed to catch a singular smile on Elena's lips.
'To whom are you bowing?' asked Donna Maria, turning round too, 'who are those ladies?'
'Lady Heathfield and the Princess of Ferentino.'
She noticed a tremor of annoyance in his voice.
'Which of them is the Princess of Ferentino?'
'The fair one.'
'The other is very beautiful.'
Andrea said nothing.
'But is she English?' she asked again.