"_Sicuro_," I answered; and I looked some time at the ground. "But tell
me about yourself, dear lady," I asked at last, raising my eyes. "You
have also had the sorrow of losing your husband."

"I am a poor widow, as you see. _Che vuole_? My husband died after
three years of marriage."

I waited for her to remark that the late Count Scarabelli was also a
saint in paradise, but I waited in vain.

"That was like your distinguished father," I said.

"Yes, he too died young. I can't be said to have known him; I was but of
the age of my own little girl. But I weep for him all the more."

Again I was silent for a moment.

"It was in India too," I said presently, "that I heard of your mother's
second marriage."

The Countess raised her eyebrows.

"In India, then, one hears of everything! Did that news please you?"

"Well, since you ask me--no."

"I understand that," said the Countess, looking at her open fan. "I
shall not marry again like that."

"That's what your mother said to me," I ventured to observe.