Do I keep a shop? I keep
lodgings. But perhaps you like the place? It is a fine situation--
just in the Corso and only one flight of stairs, a beautiful
position for the Carnival. Of course, if you are inclined to pay
more than Signor Gouache, I do not say but what---"
"I do not want your lodgings, my good woman," returned Giovanni in
gentler tones. "I want to know who comes to see your lodger."
"Who should come? His friends of course. Who else?"
"A lady, perhaps," said Giovanni in a thick voice. It hurt him to
say it, and the words almost stuck in his throat. "Perhaps a lady
comes sometimes," he repeated, pulling out some loose bank notes.
The old woman's filmy eyes suddenly twinkled in the gloom. The
sound of the crisp pieces of paper was delightful to her ear.
"Well," she said after a moment's hesitation, "if a beautiful lady
does come here, that is the Signore's affair. It is none of my
business."
Giovanni thrust the notes into her palm, which was already wide
open to receive them. His heart beat wildly.
"She is beautiful, you say?"
"Oh! As beautiful as you please!" chuckled the hag.
"Is she dark?"
"Of course," replied the woman. There was no mistaking the tone in
which the question was asked, for Giovanni was no longer able to
conceal anything that he felt.
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