"Where did you get it? You used to keep a hotel in
Aquila, did you not?"
San Giacinto had long been prepared for the question and did not
wince nor show the slightest embarrassment. He smiled calmly as he
answered her.
"You would hardly have called it a hotel, it was a country inn. I
daresay I shall manage Saracinesca all the better for having kept
a hostelry."
"Of course. Oh, I have such a delightful idea! Let us go to Aquila
and keep the hotel together. It would be such fun! You could say
you had married a little shop-keeper's daughter in Rome, you know.
Just for a month, Nino--do let us do it! It would be such a change
after society, and then we would go back for the Carnival. Oh,
do!"
"But you forget the lawsuit--"
"That is true. Besides, it will be just as much of a change to be
Princess Saracinesca. But we can do it another time. I would like
so much to go about in an apron with a red cotton handkerchief on
my head and see all the queer people! When are the lawyers
coming?"
"During the week, I suppose."
"There will be a fight," said Flavia, her face growing more grave.
"What will Sant' Ilario and his father say and do? I cannot
believe that it will all go so smoothly as you think. They do not
look like people who would give up easily what they have had so
long.
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