She led the way out through the window, lighting a cigarette as she went.

Youre a married man, and any girl you go aboutwith like that has to bear the brunt of it. Her eyes met Richards, and he feared she was going to laughoutright.

He looked at her intently, trying to find an answer to his thought.

He liked gossiping with them, and they spoke freely to him. She was going to Paris, he believed, afterthe Peraldi funeral. Richards voice showed plainly that he was horrified. Dyou believe there really is a Cellini bronze there?

Mr Kurt, my mother looked upon Virginia almost like a daughter. He was always courteous, but he did not like her. He could not recall the name and began reading.

He began giving his friend an account of her.

His sudden intimacy with the Peraldi family had come, at first, as asurprise to Elinor. Cyril, being always more or less in love in his own way, returned: Asif you didnt know. Richard dropped into a chair and poured out a glassful of whisky. She wouldhave a glass of water, she said.

It was out of the question toremain in the villa after the planting was finished. Evidently she wasjust the same as before.

The rope was attached to a small ladder up which Virginia ran. Both girls stood listening, evidently amused, and not at all upset. The next afternoon they went over to Casana and were received by Brigitain deepest black. Then, as an afterthought: Lend meyour dinghy.

What a charming girl Donna Brigita is, and so brave!

Sometimes he thought of Virginia, wondering what was happening to her.

His thoughts were not concerned with Cyril.

Its lovely up here in the warm hay, she shouted down. He wasenjoying and deploring her supposed foolhardiness. They rose from the table and Baltazzo gradually subsided.

Ive told your husband what I think of his behaviour. Richards lameexcuse that he did not like to drag him out led to further words. The liberal flow of Chianti during dinner had notlessened Cyrils romantic sentiments. Richard was more alone than he had ever been in his life. He muttered something about cuttingoff her nose to spite her face.

But Ive never attempted to interfere with her seeing Mrs Rafferty. Mother would be furious if you caught her when she wasuntidy, Virginia said. I cant tell you how good I think it is of you, but I wish you hadnttaken such a risk.

I know where there are lots of antiques, Brigita remarked.