"And who besides?" asked the prince, softly.
"An English miss," said the marchesa. "Miss Taylor: she's sitting over there, by herself in the corner. A simple little soul.... The Baronin and her daughter.... The Dutchwoman: a divorcée.... And the pretty American."
"And those two very attractive Dutch girls?" asked the prince.
The music boom-boomed louder; and Cornélie and Duco did not catch the reply.
"And the divorced Dutchwoman?" the prince asked next.
"No money," the marchesa answered, curtly.
"So there's no one except the stocking-merchant?" asked the prince, wearily.
La Belloni became cross, but Cornélie and Duco could not understand the sentences which she rattled out through the boom-booming music. Then, during a lull, they heard the marchesa say:
"She is very pretty. She has tons and tons of money. She could have gone to a first-class hotel but preferred to come here because, as a young girl travelling by herself, she was recommended to me and finds it pleasanter here. She has the big sitting-room to herself and pays fifty lire a day for her two rooms. She does not care about money. She pays three times as much as the others for her wood; and I also charge her for the wine."
"She sells stockings," muttered the prince, obstinately.
"Nonsense!" said the marchesa. "Remember that there's nobody at the moment. Last winter we had rich English titled people, with a daughter, but you thought her too tall. You're always discovering some objection. You mustn't be so difficult."
"I think those two little Dutch dolls attractive."
"They have no money. You're always thinking what you have no business to think."
"How much did Papa promise you if you...."
" ... makes no difference.... If Rudyard talks to her.... Miss Taylor is easy.... Miss Hope...."
"I don't want so many stockings as all that."
" ... very witty, I dare say.... If you don't care to...."
" ... then I retire.... I'll tell Rudyard so.... How much?"
"Sixty or seventy thousand: I don't know exactly."
"Very well. But mind, I won't sell myself for less than ten millions.... And then you get...."
They both laughed; and again the names of Rudyard and Urania were pronounced.
"Yes, Urania," replied la Belloni. "Those little Americans are very tactful. Look at the Comtesse de Castellane and the Duchess of Marlborough: how well they bear their husbands' honours! They cut an excellent figure. They are mentioned in every society column and always with respect."