“The matter is a purely private, and somewhat painful one. You will, I hope, excuse what I am about to say, for I assure you it is in no spirit of presumption that I venture to speak to you. Remember, you are a British subject, and I am here in order to assist, sometimes even to advise, any subject of His Majesty.”
“I quite understand,” Armytage said, mystified at the Consul’s rather strange manner.
“Well,” Hutchinson went on slowly and deliberately, “I am informed that you are acquainted with a lady here in Leghorn named Fanetti—Gemma Fanetti. Is that so?”
“Certainly. Why?”
“How long have you known her? It is not out of idle curiosity that I ask.”
“Nearly seven months.”
“She is Florentine. I presume you met her in Florence?”
“Yes.”
“Were you formally introduced by any friend who knew her?”
“No,” he answered, after slight hesitation. “We met quite casually.”