"Who?"
"Aldo. He's waiting for me."
They saw a man sitting on the Promenade des Anglais—there were not many people about—and looking at the sea.
"I can only see his back," said Lot.
"You shall see him to-morrow. I'm delighted that you're coming."
Her voice sounded grateful, as though she were touched. She kissed them both and went away.
"Heavens, what a beautiful woman!" said Lot. "She is anything but young, but years don't count with a woman accustomed to appear in public and as handsome as she is...."
Elly had gone out on the balcony:
"Oh, Lot, what a glorious sunset!... It's like a fairy-picture in the sky. That's how I imagine the atmosphere of the Arabian Nights. Look, it's just like the tail of a gigantic phoenix vanishing behind the mountains in flames.... There's Ottilie, on the promenade; she's waving her handkerchief."
"And there's Aldo, with her, bowing.... A fine good-looking fellow, that Italian officer of hers.... What a handsome couple!... Look, Elly, as they're walking together: what a handsome couple! I declare I'm jealous of him. I should like to be as tall as that, with such a pair of shoulders and such a figure."