They had already passed the post-office twice. The street was quite silent and deserted. He looked at her enquiringly.
"Well, then," she said, "we are in great financial difficulties. We have no money at present. I have lost my little capital; and the small sum which I earned by writing an article is spent. Duco is working hard, but he is engaged on a big work and making nothing in the meantime. He expects to receive a bit of money in a month or so. But at the moment we have nothing, nothing at all. That is why I went to a shop by the Tiber this morning to ask how much a dealer would give for a couple of old pictures which Duco wants to sell. He doesn't like parting with them, but there's no help for it. So you see that I can't come. I should not care to leave him; besides, I should not have the money for the journey or a decent wardrobe."
He looked at her. The first thing that he had noticed was her new and blooming loveliness; now he noticed that her skirt was a little worn and her blouse none too fresh, though she wore a couple of roses in the waist-band.
"Gesu mio!" he exclaimed. "And you tell me that so calmly, so quietly!"
She smiled and shrugged her shoulders:
"What would you have me do? Moan and groan about it?"
"But you are a woman ... a woman to revere and respect!" he cried. "How does Van der Staal take it?"
"He is a bit depressed, of course. He has never known money trouble. And it hinders him from employing his full talent. But I hope to help him bear up during this difficult time. So you see, prince, that I can't come to San Stefano."
"But why didn't you write to us? Why not ask us for money?"
"It is very nice of you to say that, but the idea never even occurred to us."