The conversation was at first interrupted by the little pauses that

follow fresh arrivals; and after it had settled down to the dull buzz of

a beehive, when the old brood and her queen are being turned out, it

consisted merely of hints, giving the impression of something in the air

that was scandalous and amusing, but could not be talked about.

"Have you heard that" ... "Is it true that" ... "No?" "Can it be

possible?" "How delicious!" and then inaudible questions and low

replies, with tittering, tapping of fans, and insinuating glances.

But Roma seemed to hear everything that was said about her, and

constantly broke in upon a whispered conversation with disconcerting

openness.

"That man here!" said one of the journalists at Rossi's entrance. "In

the same room with the Prime Minister!" said another. "After that

disgraceful scene in the House, too!"

"I hear that he was abominably rude to the Baron the other day," said

Madame Sella.

"Rude? He has blundered shockingly, and offended everybody. They tell me

the Vatican is now up in arms against him, and is going to denounce him

and all his ways."

"No wonder! He has made himself thoroughly disagreeable, and I'm only

surprised that the Prime Minister...."

"Oh, leave the Prime Minister alone. He has something up his sleeve....

Haven't you heard why we are invited here to-day? No? Not heard that...."

"Really! So that explains ... I see, I see!" and then more tittering and

tapping of fans.

"Certainly, he is an extraordinary man, and one of the first statesmen

in Europe."

"It's so unselfish of you to say that," said Roma, flashing round

suddenly, "for the Minister has never been a friend of journalists, and

I've heard him say that there wasn't one of them who wouldn't sell his

mother's honour if he thought he could make a sensation."

"Love?" said the voice of Don Camillo in the silence that followed

Roma's remark. "What has marriage to do with love except to spoil it?"

And then, amidst laughter, and the playful looks of the ladies by whom

he was surrounded, he gave a gay picture of his own poverty, and the

necessity of marrying to retrieve his fortunes.

"What would you have? Look at my position! A great name, as ancient as

history, and no income. A gorgeous palace, as old as the pyramids, and

no cook!"

"Don't be so conceited about your poverty, Gi-gi," said Roma. "Some of

the Roman ladies are as poor as the men. As for me, Madame Sella could

sell up every stick in my house to-morrow, and if the Municipality

should throw up my fountain...."




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