“Take Andrea with you, of course.”
“No, no, on the contrary.”
“Leave him with me...? He will be bored.”
“What are you saying?”
“He will bore himself, Caterina.”
“’Tis he who doesn’t want to stay, for fear of boring you. If you don’t mind....”
“Really, was that all? I will stay alone, or with your husband, whatever you like. But don’t be away long.”
“Oh! no fear, dear.” And in her delight at having settled the important question, she raised herself on tiptoe to kiss her.
“Dress and go.”
When Caterina and Giuditta passed through the drawing-room they found Andrea and Lucia seated, as before, in silence.