The water was boiling in a small copper kettle shaped like a flat sponge-cake, the tea-caddy was Japanese, and the teapot was of plain brown earthenware, but the two cups were of rare old Capodimonte and the spoons were evidently English.

She noticed also that the sugar was of the 'crystallised' kind, and was in a curiously chiselled silver bowl.

The Princess had a good eye for details.
'You seem to have made yourself very comfortable in your remote little house,' she laughed, with approval.
'I only hope that you may be, as long as you please to stay,' he answered, making the tea scientifically.
It was very good, and she chatted idly while she slowly drank it and nibbled a thin, crisp biscuit.

When she had finished he took her cup and offered to refill it, but she declined and leaned back comfortably in the big red leather easy-chair.
'I daresay you heard that story about an officer who is reported to be living in slavery in Africa ?' she said, her tone changing and becoming very grave.
Ugo had read of it in the newspapers.
'Did it occur to you, as it did to me, that he might be Giovanni ?' she asked.
It had occurred to him and he had made inquiries at the War Office, but had been told that the story had no foundation.

He had expected no other answer.