She rose, full of wavering approvals and disapprovals, seized by him,—and feeling with Mrs. Burgoyne.
'I understand only a very little,' she said, lifting her clear eyes to his; 'except that I never saw anyone I—I cared for so much, in so short a time—as Mrs. Burgoyne.'
'Ah! care for her!' he said, in another voice, with another aspect. 'Go on caring for her! She needs it.'
They walked on together towards the villa, for Alfredo was on the balcony signalling to them that the twelve o'clock breakfast was ready.
On the way Manisty turned upon her.
'Now, you are to be obedient! You are not to pay any attention to my sister. She is not a happy person—but you are not to be sorry for her. You can't understand her; and I beg you will not try. You are, please, to leave her alone. Can I trust you?'
'Hadn't you better send me into Rome?' said Lucy, laughing and embarrassed.
'I always intended to do so,' said Manisty shortly.
* * * * *
Towards five o'clock, Alice Manisty arrived, accompanied by an elderly maid. Lucy, before she escaped into the garden, was aware of a very tall woman, possessing a harshly handsome face, black eyes, and a thin long-limbed frame. These black eyes, uneasily bright, searched the salon, as she entered it, only to fasten, with a kind of grip, in which there was no joy, upon her brother. Lucy saw her kiss him with a cold perfunctoriness, bowed herself, as her name was nervously pronounced by Miss Manisty, and then withdrew. Mrs. Burgoyne was in Rome for the afternoon.