He much regrets this.

What a fine man he is! We are old friends." Jeanne shuddered, fearing to have guessed the truth.

They had been scheming to oblige the Senator to send Piero away; they were indeed pushing him out of Rome! But was it possible the Senator had allowed himself to be persuaded?
To drive out an invalid in his condition! She entered her _coupe_ and drove to Palazza Madama, where she inquired for the Senator.

He was not there.

The usher who gave her this answer appeared rather embarrassed.