Twice the size of an ordinary visiting-card, the fashion of it was roughly thus:
IL CARDLE UDESCHINI
Sacr: Congr: Archiv: et Inscript: Praef:
Palazzo Udeschini.
And above the legend, was pencilled, in a small oldfashioned hand, wonderfully neat and pretty:—
“To thank Mr. Marchdale for his courtesy in returning my snuff-box.”
“The Lord Prince Cardinal Udeschini was here,” said Marietta. There was a swagger in her accent. There was also something in her accent that seemed to rebuke Peter for his absence.
“I had inferred as much from this,” said he, tapping the card. “We English, you know, are great at putting two and two together.”
“He came in a carriage,” said Marietta.
“Not really?” said her master.
“Ang—veramente,” she affirmed.
“Was—was he alone?” Peter asked, an obscure little twinge of hope stirring in his heart.