"Then you had better be careful," laughed the girls.
"Are you a Catholic?" asked mevrouw.
"No."
"Nor the fair Urania either? Nor Mrs. von Rothkirch?"
"No."
"Well, that is why la Belloni put Rudyard at your table. Rudyard is a Jesuit. Every pension in Rome has a Jesuit who lives there free of charge, if the proprietor is a good friend of the Church, and who tries to win souls by making himself especially agreeable."
Cornélie refused to believe it.
"You can take my word for it," mevrouw continued, "that in a pension like this, a first-class pension, a pension with a reputation, a great deal of intrigue goes on."
"La Belloni?" Cornélie enquired.
"Our marchesa is a thorough-paced intrigante. Last winter, three English sisters were converted here."