"I did not see it. The old people whitewash the walls before each new master comes."
"I thought so."
"Are you sure you would know what to do, George, if she sang to you and you were loose?"
"Yes, we would know."
So I left him, promising an end to the matter as soon as I could arrange it.
The next day saw me calling on the Donna Marchesi. I took her flowers that time, a corsage of vivid purple and scarlet orchids. She entertained me in her music room and I, taking the hint, asked her to sing. Shyly, almost with reluctance, she did as I asked. She sang the selection from the Italian opera that I knew so well. I was generous in my applause.
She smiled.
"You like to hear me sing?"
"Indeed! I want to hear you again. I could hear you daily without growing tired."
"You're nice," she purred. "Perhaps it could be arranged."