“I don’t understand that. Tell me, how am I to tell Urania? For I should think it delightful if you would come and stay at San Stefano. Oh, do come, do: come to keep us company. I entreat you. Be charitable, do a good work.... But first tell me, how shall I tell Urania?”
She laughed:
“What?”
“What they told me in the Via dei Serpenti, that your address was now Signor van der Staal’s studio, Via del Babuino.”
Laughing, she looked at him almost pityingly:
“It is too difficult for you to tell her,” she replied, a little condescendingly. “I will myself write to Urania and explain my conduct.”
He was evidently relieved:
“That’s delightful, capital! And ... will you come to San Stefano?”
“No, I can’t really.”
“Why not?”