Sofia threw her arms around her sister’s neck and kissed her; Lulu held her for an instant, and murmured in a caressing voice:
“Why do you not love Roberto a little?”
The other made a sudden abrupt movement and drew away, without saying a word.
“Oh, well!” said Lulu, shrugging her shoulders and changing the subject. “Are you really not coming with us this evening?”
“No, I have a headache; you can go with mama.”
“As usual. I shall go just the same, because I shall have a very good time.”
“Is—Roberto going with you?”
“No; he is going to his club, where there is a directors’ meeting. I am going to profit by it and go to the Dellinos’ ball, and shall dance until to-morrow morning.”
“And when he knows of it?”
“So much the better. He will learn from now on to leave me free; I do not wish him to acquire bad habits.”