If he took it into his head to attend the supper, our difficulties would be greatly increased.

At this point we turned to the signorina, and I said briefly: "This appears to be where you come in, signorina.

Permit me to invite you to dine with his Excellency on Friday evening, at eight precisely." "You mean," she said slowly, "that I am to keep him at home, and, but for myself, alone, on Friday ?" "Yes," said I."Is there any difficulty ?" "I do not think there is great difficulty," she said, "but I don't like it; it looks so treacherous." Of course it did.

I didn't like her doing it myself, but how else was the President to be secured?
"Rather late to think of that, isn't it ?" asked McGregor, with a sneer.

"A revolution won't run on high moral wheels." "Think how he jockeyed you about the money," said I, assuming the part of the tempter.
"By the way," said McGregor, "it's understood the signorina enters into possession of the President's country villa, isn't it ?" Now, my poor signorina had a longing for that choice little retreat; and between resentment for her lost money and a desire for the pretty house on the one hand, and, on the other, her dislike of the Delilah-like part she was to play, she was sore beset.