The Countess held out her hand gracefully. There could, at least, be little harm in kissing it. Dieppe walked across the room and paid his homage. As he rose from this social observance he heard a voice from the doorway saying:
The Captain shot round in time to see the Count paying the courtesy which he had himself just paid--and paying it to a lady whom he did know very well. The next instant the Count turned to him, saying:
"Captain, let me present you to my wife's cousin, the Countess Lucia Bonavia d'Orano. She has arrived to-night from Rome. How did you leave the Bishop of Mesopotamia, Lucia?"
But the Countess interposed very quickly.
"Now, Andrea, you promised me not to bother Lucia about her journey, and especially not about the Bishop. You don't want to talk about it, do you, Lucia?"
"Not at all," said Lucia, and the Count laughed rather mockingly. "And you need n't introduce me to Captain Dieppe, either," she went on. "We 've met before."
"Met before?" The Count turned to Dieppe. "Why, where was that?"
"At the ford over the river." It was Lucia now who interposed. "He helped me across. Oh, I 'll tell you all about it."
She began her narrative, which she related with particular fulness. For a while Dieppe watched her. Then he happened to glance towards the Countess. He found that lady's eyes set on him with an intentness full of meaning. The Count's attention was engrossed by Lucia. Emilia gave a slight but emphatic nod. A slow smile dawned on Captain Dieppe's face.
"Indeed," ended Lucia, "I 'm not at all sure that I don't owe my life to Captain Dieppe." And she bestowed on the Captain a very kindly glance. The Count turned to speak to his wife. Lucia nodded sharply at the Captain.
"You were--er--returning from Rome?" he asked.
"From visiting the Bishop of Mesopotamia," called the Countess.
"Yes," said Lucia. "I should never have got across but for you."
"But tell me about yourself, Dieppe," said the Count. "You 're really in a sad state, my dear fellow."
The Captain felt that the telling of his story was ticklish work. The Count sat down on the sofa; the two ladies stood behind it, their eyes were fixed on the Captain in warning glances.
"Well, I got a message from a fellow to-night to meet him on the hill outside the village--by the Cross there, you know. I fancied I knew what he wanted, so I went."