LORD OF MANY SECRETS

TWENTY FOUR

One of his mobile brows went up. "No, ma'am, not by Mr Cliff. May I ask - or is it an impertinence? - why you should have thought so?"

"Mr Cliff has made it his business to describe me in so many quarters that it was a natural conclusion", said Elizabeth bitterly.

"Indeed!" He looked down at her rather penetratingly. "I am such an inquisitive creature, Miss Tellaro. I hope you mean to tell me why you are looking so very angry", he said.

She smiled. "I should not, I know. But I must warn you, sir, it is not the fashion to be seen talking to me".

Both brows went up at that. "On the authority of Mr Cliff?" inquired the gentleman.

"Yes, sir, at I understand. Mr Cliff has been good enough to christen me the Milk Maid, and to declare that no one of fashion could tolerate my - my person". She tried to speak lightly, but only succeeded in letting her indignation creep through.

He drew up a chair. "Let me assure you, Miss Tellaro, that there is not the least need for you to let Mr Cliff's insolence distress you. May I sit down?"

She signified consent. She could only be glad that he should want to. He might not wear a green spangled coat, and lead all Rome by the nose, but she had rather be talking to him than to any dandy. She said frankly, "I know I should not - and indeed, it doesn't distress me. It only makes me angry. You see, we - my brother and I - have never been in Rome before, and we wanted very much to - to enter into Polite Circles. But it seems that Society agrees with Mr Cliff - though a great many people have been very kind, of course".

"Do you know, Miss Tellaro, you make me feel that I have been out of town longer than I realized?" said the gentleman, with one of his comical looks. "When I left Roma for Venice, Mr Cliff was not leading Society, I assure you".

"Oh", she said, "you must not think I do not know who does that! I have had the name of Beau Alexandra dinned into my ears until I am heartily sick of it! I am told that I must at all costs win his approval if I am to succeed, and I tell you frankly, sir, I have not the least intention of trying to do it!" She saw a slightly startled look in his eyes, and added defiantly, "I am sorry if he should be a friend of yours, but I have made up my mind I neither wish for his good opinion nor his acquaintance".

"You are quite safe in saying what you think of him to me", replied the gentleman gravely. "But what has he done to earn your contempt, ma'am?"

"Well, sir, you have only to look at him!" said Elizabeth, allowing her eyes to travel significantly towards the gorgeous figure at the other end of the room. "A spangled coat!" she pronounced scornfully.

His gaze followed the direction of hers. "I am in agreement with you, Miss Tellaro", he said. "Though I should not myself call that thing a coat".

"Oh, and that is not all!" she said. "I am for ever hearing of his affections and impertinences! I am out of all patience with him".

She had the impression that he was laughing at her, but when he spoke it was perfectly solemnly. "Ah, ma'am, but it is Mr Alexandra's folly which is the making of him. If he did not stare duchesses out of countenance, and nod over his shoulder to princes he would be forgotten in a week. And if the world is so silly as to admire his absurdities - you and I may know better - but what does that signify?"

"Nothing, I suppose", said Elizabeth. "But if I cannot succeed without being obliged to court his approval I had rather fail".

"Miss Tellaro", he replied, the smile dancing in his eyes again, "I prophesy that you will become the rage".

She shook her head. "How can you think it, sir?"

He rose. "Why, I don't think it, ma'am. I am sure of it. Every eye is even not upon you. You have held me in conversation for close on half an hour". He made his bow. "I may do myself the honor of calling on you?"

"We shall be glad, sir".

"I wonder?" he said with a quizzical look, and moved away to where Lord Alvana was standing against the wall.

Miss Tellaro became aware of Mrs Andromeda at her elbow, in a twitter of excitement. "My love, what did he say to you? Tell me at once!"

Elizabeth turned. "Say to me?" she repeated, bewildered. "He asked is he might call on us, and..."

"Elizabeth! You don't mean it? Oh, was ever anything so... Well, you was talking for ever! Pray, what else was said?"

Elizabeth looked at her in a good deal of surprise. "But what can it signify, ma'am?"

Mrs Andromeda have a surprised shriek. "Mercy on us! You hold Mr Alexandra by your side for half an hour and then ask me what it can signify!"

Elizabeth gave a gasp, and turned pale. "Ma'am! Oh, good God, ma'am, that surely was not Mr Alexandra?"

"Not Mr Alexandra? Of course it was! But, my dearest love, I particularity warned you! What have you been about?"

"I thought you meant that odious creature in the green coat", said Elizabeth numbly. "How could I imagine..." She broke off, and looked across the room at Mr Alexandra.

Their eyes met. He smiled - unmistakably - he smiled.

"I declare I could positively embrace him!" said Mrs Andromeda, avidly drinking in this exchange of glances. "You are made, my dear! What a set down for John Cliff! Alexandra must have heard of what he said of you, daring to try to set people against you! Such impertinence!"

"He did", said Miss Tellaro dryly. "I told him".