"I have come for a minute only," she said. "You received my letter?"
Rossi bent his head.
"David, I want the fulfilment of your promise."
"What promise?"
"The promise to come to me when I stand in need of you. I need you now. My fountain is practically finished, and to-morrow afternoon I am to have a reception to exhibit it. Everybody will be there, and I want you to be present also."
"Is that necessary?" he asked.
"For my purposes, yes. Don't ask me why. Don't question me at all. Only trust me and come."
She was speaking in a firm and rapid voice, and looking up he saw that her brows were contracted, her lips were set, her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her eyes were shining. He had never seen her like that before. "What is the secret of it?" he asked himself, but he only answered, after a brief pause:
"Very well, I will be there."
"That's all. I might have written, but I was afraid you might object, and I wished to make quite certain. Adieu!"