“I should just like to ask you one thing,” said Lily timidly.
“Yes, my dear, what is that?”
There was something forbidding in Aunt Cosy’s voice.
“I’ve only been wondering, Aunt Cosy, whether these notes were paid through the bank where I have my account. If so, of course they will know that I cannot have received them from England.”
Countess Polda, not for the first time, was startled at this, as she thought, unusual display of intelligence on Lily Fairfield’s part.
“You can feel quite comfortable,” she said deliberately. “These notes have only just arrived in Monte Carlo by registered post. But if the slightest difficulty is made, then bring them straight back to me. Is that understood, Lily?”
The girl felt relieved. “Yes, of course, Aunt Cosy.”
“I shall be very glad if you will start at once,” went on the Countess, “for I expect Beppo and his luggage early this afternoon. He will first see his friends off, and then he will come straight here. I need hardly say that you and Cristina must drive back. In fact, you had better engage a carriage as soon as you see one disengaged, and drive in it to the bank.”
“Why should we do that?” asked Lily.
The Countess told herself that the girl was a fool after all!