The wily Cardinal--whom she had once met in the salon of a French prelate--had at first answered only, with that accent of his, neither French nor Italian: _"C'est vous qui me dites ca?
C'est vous qui me dites ca ?"_ In fact, Donna Rosetta had replied, laughing: _"Oh c'est enorme, je le sais!"_ It was a speech which might cost her husband his title of Excellency.
But then "the most eminent one" had as good as promised her that the desires of the Turin _haute_ should be satisfied.
_"Ce sera lui, ce sera lui!"_ Finally he had said to her: _"Comment donc, madame, avez-vous epouse un francmacon?
Un des pires, aussi! Un des pires! Faites lui lire cela!"_ And he had given her a little book on the doctrines of hell and the inevitable damnation of Freemasons.

It was this little book she had cast at her feet on entering the carriage.
"Fancy my husband reading that rubbish!" she said.
But what was all this to Jeanne?
Jeanne was impatient to hear the news from the Ministry of the Interior.

And now, whom were they going to see?
The Minister, or the Under-Secretary of State?
They were going to see the Under-Secretary of State, going to see Donna Rosetta's husband.

Up to the present moment Donna Rosetta had kept silent concerning the purpose and object of this visit, in order that Jeanne might not have time to draw back or to prepare herself too carefully.

The Right Honourable Albacina was aware of his wife's friendship for Signora Dessalle as well as of Signora Dessalle's friendship for the Selvas, who in their turn were so devoted to Maironi.
He had told his wife that he wished to speak with this lady, for reasons of his own, which he did not intend to reveal.