As the climb starts off stiffly, there wasn’t much inclination in either to talk. Celeste had come to one decision, and that was that Nora should find out Courtlandt’s presence here in Bellaggio herself. When they arrived at the villa gates, Celeste offered a suggestion.
“You could easily stop all this rumor and annoyance.”
“And, pray, how?”
“Marry.”
“I prefer the rumor and annoyance. I hate men. Most of them are beasts.”
“You are prejudiced.”
If Celeste expected Nora to reply that she had reason, she was disappointed, Nora quickened her pace, that was all.
At luncheon Harrigan innocently threw a bomb into camp by inquiring: “Say, Nora, who’s this chump Herr Rosen? He was up here last night and again this morning. I was going to offer him the cot on the balcony, but I thought I’d consult you first.”
“Herr Rosen!” exclaimed Mrs. Harrigan, a flutter in her throat. “Why, that’s....”
“A charming young man who wishes me to sign a contract to sing to him in perpetuity,” interrupted Nora, pressing her mother’s foot warningly.