Miss
Wilberforce! She fluttered down a doorstep and began crooning a vulgar
song about "Billy had a letter for to go on board a ship." Denis moved
to the other side of the narrow path, hoping to escape unobserved. The
light was too strong.
"My young friend," she cried in quite a hoarse and altered tone of
voice, "we should know each other! We've had the pleasure haven't we?
Been down to the sea, have you? And what are the wild waves saying?"
Denis stood there, petrified with disgust. Was it possible? Was this
the lady who had charmed him the other day? Who had spoken of England
and conjured up the memories of his own home in the Midlands? With a
playful gesture, she sent her hat careering across the street and began
to fumble at her breast, unlacing or unbuttoning something. It was
horrible, in the moonlight.
A boot, flying merrily over his head, recalled him to his senses. He
turned to go, and had already made a few paces when the voice croaked
after him:
"Does your mother know you're out?"
CHAPTER XIII
Some good genius took him by the hand next day and led him to the house
of Count Caloveglia, in response to that friendly twice-repeated
invitation.
Pages:
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280