He might have been mistaken, or this might have happened by chance.

At any rate it was something to take note of.
As soon as he entered the house the Senator had sent to beg him to come into his study.

There, speaking with much affability but with manifest embarrassment, he had told him that he was glad to see a friend of his dear guest's at that special moment; that Benedetto was fortunately free from fever, and, in his opinion, on the road to recovery.

A telegram, he said, had just announced to him that his old sister was to arrive very shortly, that his apartment contained only one bedroom besides his own and the one occupied by the servant; that he could not possibly send his sister to an hotel, neither could he telegraph her to delay her visit, for she had already started; therefore-- The Senator had allowed di Leyni to complete the sentence for himself.
Di Leyni who, with a few other faithful ones, was aware of the secret plots against Benedetto, was amazed.

What should he answer?
That the Senator alone was master in his own house?
That was, perhaps, the only answer possible.