All rose and came to meet them.
The Abbate led the way, with Marcolina and Amalia on either side.

They were followed by the Marchesa, with whom came a tall, young officer, clad in a red uniform trimmed with silver lace, and wearing jack-boots--evidently Lorenzi.

As he spoke to the Marchesa, he scanned her powdered shoulders as if they were well-known samples of other beauties with which he was equally familiar.

The Marchesa smiled up at him beneath half-closed lids.

Even a tyro in such matters could hardly fail to realize the nature of their relationship, or to perceive that they were quite unconcerned at its disclosure.