Antonio bowed, and Regina looked at her with wondering eyes, saying shyly—
"You are very kind, Signora."
"Beg pardon?" said Madame, turning her left ear to Regina, who nearly laughed, remembering Antonio's mimicry of the deaf Princess.
But Signora Makuline had taken her hand, and was slipping a sapphire ring on one of its fingers, saying—
"You will allow me? With a thousand good wishes!"
"Oh, thank you! You are really too good!" cried Regina, delighted, and Antonio also looked at the ring and expressed thanks. Then they all sat down; the Princess removed her dirty white gloves, and, to Regina's surprise, displayed hands small as a child's, and covered with flashing rings.
"What shocking weather," said Madame, her small feline eyes not looking at any one. "I've been many years in Rome, but never remember an autumn like this. It's not manners to talk of the weather; but when it becomes a matter of health, the weather has certainly more influence over us than even the most important events of our lives!"
"Monsieur Antonio, this abominable storm will spoil your honeymoon," said Arduina, trying to joke; but Regina, rather offended, muttered some words of protest.
"Beg pardon?" said the Princess.
"Arduina is right," said Antonio; "my wife is, in point of fact, in the very worst of humours."