Page:The Princess Casamassima (London and New York, Macmillan & Co., 1886), Volume 2.djvu/176

 'Didn't you know I was coming?' he asked. 'Has the idea of my arrival produced so little agitation?'

'I know nothing of the affairs of this house. I have given them up at last, and it was time. I remain in my room.' There was nothing at present in the old lady's countenance of her usual spirit of cheer; it expressed anxiety, and even a certain sternness, and the excellent woman had perhaps at this moment more than she had ever had in her life of the air of a duenna who took her duties seriously. She looked almost august. 'From the moment you come it's a little better. But it is very bad.'

'Very bad, dear madam?'

'Perhaps you will be able to tell me where Christina veut en venir. I have always been faithful to her—I have always been loyal. But to-day I have lost patience. It has no sense.'

'I am not sure I know what you are talking about,' Sholto said; 'but if I understand you I must tell you I think it's magnificent.'

'Yes, I know your tone; you are worse than she, because you are cynical. It passes all bounds. It is very serious. I have been thinking what I should do.'

'Precisely; I know what you would do.'

'Oh, this time I shouldn't come back!' the old lady declared. 'The scandal is too great; it is intolerable. My only fear is to make it worse.'

'Dear Madame Grandoni, you can't make it worse, and you can't make it better,' Sholto rejoined, seating himself on the sofa beside her. 'In point of fact, no idea of scandal can possibly attach itself to our friend. She is above and outside of all such considerations, such dangers.