"Does the angel grow in a flower-bed or in a pot ?" The insipid young woman laughed, and the Friends shot furious glances at the Marchesa.
Tea, which had been included in Guarnacci's invitation, was then brought in.
"A delightful conversation, is it not ?" Signora Albacina, wife of the Honourable Albacina, Undersecretary of the Home Office, said softly to the lady in black, who had not once spoken.

She now smiled sadly without answering.
Tea was served by the Professor and his sister, and put an end to conversation for a few moments.

It soon burst forth again, however, the topic being Benedetto's discourse.

There ensued such a confusion of senseless remarks, of worthless opinions, of would-be wise sayings devoid of wisdom that the lady in black proposed to Signora Albacina, in whose company she had come, that they should take their departure.

But at that point the Marchesa Fermi, having discovered a small bell on the mantel-shelf, began ringing it, to obtain silence.