“Not the slightest, sir. Of course I know Italian as well as I know English, or better. French, too, I speak with some degree of fluency; but beyond that I am afraid you will find me nothing better than a rank duffer.”
Sir Gilbert pricked up his ears.
“I hope you are not addicted to the use of slang, sir, as your last phrase would seem to imply,” he said severely. “To me there are few things more detestable. Pray let me never hear any more of it.”
Luigi was wise enough to refrain from replying. He simply coloured up and did his best to look ashamed.
Presently the baronet rose. It was a signal to which the others at once responded.
“To-day is Thursday,” he said. “Come to me again at noon on Monday next. I have much to think of, many things to consider, but by that time I shall probably have arrived at some decision with regard to certain matters which materially concern all now present. Till then, goodbye.”
As he held Giovanna’s hand for a moment he said, “I am not aware there is any necessity for Captain Verinder’s presence here again. Um—um—it is immensely kind of him to have interested himself as he has, but I should be sorry to put him to any further trouble in the affair.” With his right hand grasping that of Luigi, he placed his left in kindly fashion on the young man’s shoulder. “You and I, in all probability, will be much better acquainted by-and-by. In any case, I think I may safely say that the fault will rest with you if we are not.”
No faintest suspicion clouded Sir Gilbert’s mind that he was clasping the hand of an impostor.
CHAPTER XIX.
LUIGI ACKNOWLEDGED
As on the previous day, luncheon was provided for the baronet’s visitors, and, as before, they partook of it without his presence.