“What is it, Marchese?” she asked, wondering what was the matter with him.
He still hesitated. Evidently he was much disturbed. At last he said again:
“Pardon me, Signora. I—as you know, I am Neapolitan. I have always lived in Naples.”
“Yes, I know.”
“I know Naples like my pocket—”
He broke off.
Hermione waited for him to go on. She had no idea what was coming.
“Yes?” she said, at length to help him.
“Excuse me, Signora! But that girl—that girl who passed by just now—”
“My servant, Peppina.”