Caterina did not hear. She was thinking of home, where she fancied she had left the jewel-safe open. With these fashionable gowns it was impossible to put your keys in your pocket. Despite her confidence in her servants at Centurano, she could not help feeling a little anxious.
“Do you remember, Lucia, if I locked the jewel-safe?”
“No, dear, I do not remember. It will be quite safe, even if you have not locked it.”
“Do you, Signor Sanna?”
“Yes; you locked it, and put the key under the clock.”
“Thanks, thank you; you take a load off my mind.”
“Signora Lucia, Caterina, I must go and speak to the Prime Minister.”
“Are you going to leave us?”
“I shall be here opposite to you. Caterina, don’t yawn, child, remember that you are the wife of the vice-president of a committee.”
She smiled absently, and nodded to him.