"How long have you known her?"

"Four or five months. Since the beginning of the last winter season in
Rome."

"Did you frequent her house?"

"If you mean, was I permitted to call on her on friendly terms, yes."

"Did you know all her friends?"

"How can I answer that? I know whom I met there from time to time."

"Exactly. Did you often meet among them a Signor--Quadling?"

"Quadling--Quadling? I cannot say that I have. The name is familiar
somehow, but I cannot recall the man."

"Have you never heard of the Roman bankers, Correse & Quadling?"

"Ah, of course. Although I have had no dealing with them. Certainly I
have never met Mr. Quadling."

"Not at the Countess's?"

"Never--of that I am quite sure."

"And yet we have had positive evidence that he was a constant visitor
there."