“Why isn’t Arduina wearing her diadem or necklace?”
“She has given them to her two daughters-in-law, Beatrice and Vittoria.”
“They are fortunate, those Casalta girls.”
“Do you think so? This evening they are wearing the jewels of Casa Fiore. Do you notice the two daughters-in-law are following their mother-in-law side by side?”
“Beatrice is very charming.”
“The other is insignificant.”
“A little pale and supercilious. She doesn’t like society, I suppose. How long are you staying, Lavinia?”
“Don’t you know we can’t go away till this Emperor leaves?”
“I knew his grandfather very well at Berlin.”
“And I his father in London, when he came to fetch his bride, Victoria.”