After a few seconds she recognized me, and I walked at her side chatting. Her car was waiting in the Piazza Santa Trinita, but before she entered it she had promised to send me a card for a little "at home" she was giving on the following Thursday. Now, not until we had parted did it occur to me that De Gex might be also going there. In that case he certainly should not meet me. So I sought Robertson's aid concerning his master's engagements, and discovered that on Thursday morning the millionaire was going to Leghorn to join his yacht for a week's cruise across to Algiers. Therefore I accepted Mrs. Cullerton's invitation, and found at the villa a number of pleasant, cosmopolitan people, whom I had already met at the French Consul's. I was introduced by my hostess to her husband, Jack, a smartly-dressed man, and a typical young member of the Stock Exchange. Afterwards I succeeded in having quite a long conversation with his wife. Quite casually I mentioned the Villa Clementini, and its owner. "Do you know him?" she asked with interest. "He is such a dear, generous old thing." "I have met him once," I replied with affected unconcern. "They say he's a little eccentric--don't they?" "His enemies say that," she replied, "but his friends are full of praise of him. He's the most charming and generous of men, and his great wealth allows him to perform all sorts of kind actions. They say that he can't refuse anybody who asks for his influence or help." I reflected that his influence was certainly a baneful one. "Ah! I see you are one of his friends, Mrs. Cullerton!" I said, laughing. "Yes--I confess I am." "Then would you be surprised if I told you in strictest confidence that he is not your friend, but one of your bitterest enemies!" I said, lowering my voice, and looking straight into her wide-open blue eyes. "I don't understand you, Mr. Garfield!" she said, also lowering her voice. "I will explain one day, Mrs. Cullerton--one day when we are alone." "When?" she whispered, for Madame Rameil was approaching at the moment. "Whenever you like to make an appointment," I replied. "Only I must first hold you to absolute secrecy." "That's agreed," whispered the pretty young woman. "To-morrow. I will be here alone at three o'clock," and then she held out her hand, and aloud said: "Good-bye, Mr. Garfield. So sorry you have to run away so early. Good-bye!" CHAPTER THE NINTH SOME PLAIN SPEAKING Punctually at three o'clock next afternoon the buxom Italian maid in dainty apron, ushered me into Mrs. Cullerton's charming _salone_. From the long windows a magnificent view spread away across the green valley of the Ema to the great monastery of the Certosa, a huge mediæval pile which resembled a mediæval fortress standing boldly against the background of the rolling Apennines. Scarcely had I stood there a moment when my blue-eyed young hostess, in a becoming black-and-cherry frock, entered, and greeting me, closed the door.