“Well,” he responded slowly, “in an extremity, I should think that a mere unlearned woman might, if she made an effort, ask the heretic to dinner. I 'll come down and stay with you for a day or two, and you can ask him to dinner.”
“You're a perfect old darling,” cried Beatrice, with rapture. “He'll never be able to resist you.”'
“Oh, I 'm not undertaking to discuss theology with him,” said the Cardinal. “But one must do something in exchange for a couple of hundred lire—so I'll come and give you my moral support.”
“You shall have your lovely silver snuffbox, all the same,” said she.
Mark the predestination!
XVI
“CASTEL VENTIROSE,
“August 21 st.
“DEAR Mr. Marchdale: It will give me great pleasure if you can dine with us on Thursday evening next, at eight o'clock, to meet my uncle, Cardinal Udeschini, who is staying here for a few days.
“I have been re-reading 'A Man of Words.' I want you to tell me a great deal more about your friend, the author.