"
"When, pray," said Roderick, smoothing his ruffled locks, "are women not
watching them?"
"We shall give you something better to do, at any rate. How long have
you been here? It 's an age since I have seen you. We consider you
domiciled here, and expect you to play host and entertain us."
Roderick said that he could offer them nothing but to show them the
great terrace, with its view; and ten minutes later the group was
assembled there. Mrs. Light was extravagant in her satisfaction;
Christina looked away at the Sabine mountains, in silence. The prince
stood by, frowning at the rapture of the elder lady.
"This is nothing," he said at last. "My word of honor. Have you seen the
terrace at San Gaetano?"
"Ah, that terrace," murmured Mrs. Light, amorously. "I suppose it is
magnificent!"
"It is four hundred feet long, and paved with marble. And the view is
a thousand times more beautiful than this. You see, far away, the blue,
blue sea and the little smoke of Vesuvio!"
"Christina, love," cried Mrs. Light forthwith, "the prince has a terrace
four hundred feet long, all paved with marble!"
The Cavaliere gave a little cough and began to wipe his eye-glass.
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