"I? No!" answered the bride, as if starting from a dream. Then, wishing to defend her sister-in-law, less out of pity for her than out of dislike to the brothers, she added, "Perhaps Arduina will convert me." "Antonio! get out your stick!" cried Gaspare, and again they all laughed. The topic changed. They discussed a certain Madame Makuline, a Russian princess long resident in Rome, to whom Antonio had been introduced by Arduina, and who occasionally employed him in the administration of her affairs. "She should give a wedding present to Regina," said the authoress; "I expect her to dinner to-morrow; will you two come?" This intelligence somewhat restored Arduina's prestige, and Regina breathed more freely. The conversation ran on countesses and duchesses; Claretta cried, turning to Massimo-- "Oh, now I remember! You were seen yesterday----" "Wasn't I seen to-day?" "----running after Donna Maria del Carro's carriage. It was raining, and you had no umbrella." "That's why I ran," he said, flattered and pleased. "No, my dear boy; you ran after the carriage." "Why?" asked the innocent Regina. "How sweet you are!" said the cousin. "He ran to be seen, of course! The Marchesa del Carro likes handsome young men, even when she doesn't know them." "Thank you very much," said Massimo, making a bow. Then they all got excited and talked of innumerable titled persons of their acquaintance, telling their "lives and miracles." Signora Clara, not to be left out, was insistent in describing the reception costume of a countess. Regina listened. She did not confess it to herself, but she was certainly pleased that her new relations had friends among the aristocracy. At last they arrived at the coffee, and Signora Anna turned to Regina intending to say something pleasant. "I expect you miss your Mamma," she began; "you can't get accustomed to the idea of a second mother." But she was interrupted by Gaspare, who came from a second inspection of the kitchen. "My dear mother, just come and look. Come!" he insisted, flicking the corner of his napkin, "there's a flood in the kitchen. She has left the tap running." The old lady had to get up; panting and puffing she followed her son to the kitchen. Presently Marina was heard sobbing. "The man's unbearable!" said Arduina; "is that poor girl a slave? From the point of view of----" "From the social point of view--" suggested Massimo. "Pardon me," observed Aunt Clara, "she left the tap running." "If ever I marry a man who meddles in the kitchen," said Claretta, tightening her sash at the looking-glass, "I'll give him--from the social point of view--such a hiding----" "I too!" agreed the authoress. Sor Mario, who was picking his teeth ferociously, uttered a grunt. Signora Anna came back followed by Marina, her eyes red, her lips quivering. "Pooh! don't cry!" said Massimo, "it makes a fright of you. If the pastrycook saw you now----" "What, is it a pastrycook this time?" joked Antonio.