"Hush! I'm bored to death. Let's go. We'll leave Arduina. Who's that baboon-faced person she's got hold of?"
"That's an author."
"Connais pas," said the other, eating and drinking. "What a rabble! No one but rabble."
"Just so," said Regina, "and we belong to it."
"On the contrary, we'll snap our fingers at it. No! we are young and may some day be rich. Those folk are rich, but they'll never be young, my dear!"
"Take care! I think you are right though."
"Then bring me another glass of port!" said Massimo, imploringly.
"Certainly not!"
The old ladies and gentlemen, mildly excited by the wines and the tea, raised their voices, moved about, clustered in knots and circles. In the confusion Regina again found herself beside the hostess.