The news was not so entirely welcome as under other circumstances it would have been.

Nannie Hilliard was both perspicacious and fascinating, and Constance foresaw that her presence would tangle further the already tangled plot of the little comedy which was unfolding itself at Villa Rosa.

But Miss Hazel, divining nothing of comedies or plots, was thrown into a pleasant flutter by the news.

Guests were a luxury which occurred but seldom in the quiet monotony of Valedolmo.
'We must call on them at once and bring them back to the house.' 'I suppose we must.' Constance agreed with an uncordial sigh.
Fifteen minutes later they were on their way to the Hotel du Lac, while Elizabetta, on her knees in the villa guest-room, was vigorously scrubbing the mosaic floor.
Gustavo hurried out to meet them.

He was plainly in a flutter; something had occurred to upset the usual suavity of his manners.
'_Si_, signorina, in ze garden--ze two American ladies--having tea.