“I think,” she said quietly, “that Count Beppo ought to have arranged to stay here, as his parents wished him to do.”
But Cristina shook her head decidedly. “No, no,” she answered, “he would not be happy here. He likes what we call ‘the English comfort,’ my little lady.”
CHAPTER XIV
But next day all was radiant happiness and good humour—indeed, the whole atmosphere of the Lonely House seemed transformed. Even Mimi looked as if it knew of Beppo’s arrival, for the cat walked about purring, and for once left the birds alone.
The night before, during dinner, Beppo had overcome his mother’s dislike to leaving La Solitude.
“I won’t ask you to come often,” he said coaxingly. “But to-morrow we’ll just have a nice little luncheon—you, and papa, and our charming English cousin! The Pescobaldis are going out to lunch.”
As Beppo uttered the long, peculiar Italian name the Countess frowned for the first time since her son’s arrival “Have they come with you?” she exclaimed, in a surprised, annoyed tone. “You did not say that they were the friends who are staying with you at the Hidalgo Hotel!”
“Surely I did, mamma?” said the young man uncomfortably. “That is the reason why I am at the Hidalgo instead of here.”
There was a pause, and then Aunt Cosy turned to Lily.
“It will interest you to meet the Marchesa Pescobaldi,” she observed. “She is a very charming and clever woman. It would, perhaps, be unkind to add that the Marchesa has the unfortunate reputation of possessing the evil eye.”