CHAPTER VII.
"I THOUGHT I was never to see you again," observed the Marchesa, as Beatrice and San Miniato came to her side.
"Judging from your calm, you were bearing the separation with admirable fortitude," answered the Count.
"Dearest friend, one has to bear so much in this life!" Beatrice stood beside the table, resting one hand upon it and looking back towards the place where she had been sitting.

San Miniato took the Marchesa's hand and raised it to his lips, pressed it a little and then nodded slowly, with a significant look.

The Marchesa's sleepy eyes opened suddenly with an expression of startled satisfaction, and she returned the pressure of the fingers with more energy than San Miniato had suspected.

She was evidently very much pleased.

Perhaps the greatest satisfaction of all was the certainty that she was to have no more trouble in the matter, since it had been undertaken, negotiated and settled by the principals between them.