With a content expression, Irina resumed her seat without saying a word.
Her face became indecipherable upon the chief magistrate’s return, with the authorisation as requested.
‘Have you need of anything else, Countess Esterházy?’
‘Not for the moment. Use your time well and study the paper’.
‘I will make it my concern to inform you of our viewpoint during our reception’.
‘I pray you do so, gentlemen, if only for your own good,’ she answered as she left the office.
Officer Maggi, true to the assignment, awaited the Countess’ return in the inner courtyard of the Palazzo Carmagnola in conversation with some colleagues in the palace guard, although not once losing sight of Bleda who’d remained still in the corner, himself awaiting his mistress. Upon Irina’s return from the first
