And as Ashe lifted his head from the cabinet
papers which had just reached him by special messenger, his attention
was disagreeably recalled from high matters of state to the very evident
delicacy of his wife. He replied that he had promised to dine with
Prince S---- at Danieli's, in order to talk Italian politics. "But I can
throw it over in a moment, if you want me. I came to Venice for
you,
darling," he said, as he rose and joined her on the balcony which
commanded a fine stretch of the canal.
"No, no! Go and dine with your prince. I'll go with maman--Margaret and
I. At least, Margaret must, of course, please herself!"
She shrugged her shoulders, and then added, "Maman's probably in the
pink of society here. Venice doesn't take its cue from people like Aunt
Lina!"
Ashe smiled uncomfortably. He was in truth by this time infinitely
better acquainted with the incidents of Madame d'Estrees's past career
than Kitty was. He had no mind whatever that Kitty should become less
ignorant, but his knowledge sometimes made conversation difficult.
Kitty was perfectly aware of his embarrassment.
"You never tell me--" she said, abruptly.
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