"Yes, yes, in Rome, of course; but you are not in the museum alone?"
Dolly presented Mr. Babbage.
"And how is your mother?" Mrs. Thayer went on. "Better! I am so glad. I thought she would be better in Italy. And what have you done with your handsome cavaliero servente—Mr. St. Leger?"
"I left him at home with a magazine, in which I think there was a story," said Dolly.
"Impossible! his gallantry allowed you to come alone?"
"Not his gallantry, but perhaps his sense of weakness," Dolly answered.
"Of weakness, my dear? Is he a weak young man? He does not look it."
"Very good muscular power, I daresay; but when we talk of power of will, you know 'weakness' is relative. I forbade him, and he did not dare to come."
"You forbade him! and he obeyed? But, Christina, I do not think you have Mr. Shubrick in such training as that. Would he obey, if you gave him orders?"
"Probably the relations are different," said Dolly, obliging herself to keep a grave face. "I am in a happy independence of Mr. St. Leger which allows me to command him."