By the secret confidences thus exchanged, it was evident that Count Castellani and Doctor Malvano thoroughly understood each other; and, further, it was plain that upon some person in that assembly Filippo, head-waiter at the Bonciani, was keeping careful observation. Yet he apparently attended to his work as a well-trained servant should; and even when he discovered Armytage with her ladyship, he was in no way confused, but retreated quietly without attracting the young man's attention. "Why have you parted from Gemma?" her ladyship asked. "Well," answered Armytage, hesitating, "have you not said that she's an impossible person?" "Of course. But when a man's in love--" "He alters his mind sometimes," he interrupted, determined not to tell this woman the truth. "So you've altered your mind?" she said. "You ought really to congratulate yourself that you've been able to do so." "Why?" Lady Marshfield regarded her visitor gravely, fanned herself slowly in silence for some moments, then answered-- "Because it is not wise for a man to take as wife a woman of such an evil reputation." "Evil reputation?" he echoed. "What do you mean by evil?" "Her reputation is wide enough in Italy. I wonder you did not hear of her long ago," her ladyship answered. "You speak as if she were notorious." "Ask any one in Turin, in Milan, or Florence. They will tell you the truth," she replied. "Your idol is, without doubt, the most notorious person in the whole of Italy." "The most notorious?" he cried. "You speak in enigmas. I won't have Gemma maligned in this way," he added fiercely. She smiled. It was a smile of triumph. She was happy that they were already parted, and she sought now to embitter him against her, in order that he should not return to her. "Have you never heard of the Countess Funaro?" she asked in a calm voice. "The Countess Funaro!" he cried. "Of course I have. Her escapades have lately been the talk of society in Rome and Florence. Only a couple of months ago a duel took place at Empoli, the outcome of a quarrel which she is said to have instigated, and the young advocate Cassuto was shot dead." "He was her friend," her ladyship observed. "Well?" "Well," said Lady Marshfield, "don't you think you were rather foolish to fall in love with a woman of her reputation?" "Good Heavens!" he cried, starting up. "No, that can't be the truth! Gemma cannot be the notorious Contessa Funaro!" "If you doubt me, go out to Italy again and make inquiries," the eccentric old lady answered calmly. "But the Countess Funaro has the most unenviable reputation of any person in Italy. I've heard hundreds of extraordinary stories regarding her." "And the latest is your own interesting experience--eh!" "I--I really can't believe it," Armytage said, dumbfounded.