She smiled at him tenderly. "I'll call him, then." She walked to the edge of the terrace and beckoned towards the garden. "Vittorio!" The crystalline tones resounded purely. A tall figure rose from a bench back of the palms and approached them. "This is my husband, Alexis." Anne's voice rang slightly tremulous. Alexis got to his feet rather feebly and the two men clasped hands. Vittorio was the first to speak. "I am sorry you are not well," he said gently, as they all sat down. Alexis smiled. "That is good of you, Marchese. And it is doubly good of you to permit the Marchesa to see me. I--I am very grateful." The smiling lips quivered. Vittorio was touched. The stooping figure, the prematurely haggard young face filled him with pity. He made an effort to speak casually. "I hope you will let us both come to see you very often. We shall be here for at least six weeks." "You don't know what it will mean to me," said Alexis eagerly. "I've hardly seen a soul for months," he caught himself up sharply, "but I'm sure you must be thirsty. I'll order something to drink at once." "Please don't bother," cried Anne. With a smiling shake of the head, he struck an iridescent little gong on the table beside him. Very correct in semitropical livery, an English servant appeared in the doorway. "What would you like?" said Alexis, turning to his guests. "Some whisky and soda, Marchese? Or would you prefer iced sherbet? Hopkins keeps some on hand for me all the time, as I find it very soothing. Then there is always Turkish coffee, for which we are famous, aren't we, Hopkins?" "Yes, sir." The man bowed with the flicker of a pleased smile. They chose the sherbet. Little spiced cakes from the bazaar were passed with it. The conversation became light and unstrained. Since the old days, Alexis had mixed much with the world. Had been a big figure and had progressed beyond ill-ease. After they finished the sherbet, he looked longingly at Anne, and asked if she would not like to try some Slovakian dances with him. She looked doubtful. "Do you think you ought to to-day, Alexis? Haven't we tired you sufficiently?" He shook his head gayly. "Oh, no, I haven't felt so fit for ages. Have I, Hopkins?" "No, sir." Sherbet cups in his hands, Hopkins coughed discreetly. His mild eyes met Anne's full of respectful warning. She nodded at him behind Alexis' shoulder. "I think you've had enough excitement for this afternoon," she said firmly. "Suppose I come to-morrow for a little while?" He looked radiant. "To-morrow, and every day while you are here!" he said with the tyrannical air of a spoiled child. "But you must play with me now, this minute. The music only arrived yesterday and I haven't tried it yet." He looked at once so wistful and so happy that Anne relented. "Very well, but only for a little while, mind!"