"There is lunch enough for everybody, and the more people we are the pleasanter it will be." Donna Tullia made her suggestion with her usual frank manner, fixing her blue eyes upon Corona as she spoke.

There was every appearance of cordiality in the invitation; but Donna Tullia knew well enough that there was a sting in her words, or at all events that she meant there should be.

Corona, however, glanced quietly at her husband, and then courteously refused.
"You are most kind," she said, "but I fear we cannot join you to-day.

We are very regular people," she explained, with a slight smile, "and we are not prepared to go to-day.

Many thanks; I wish we could accept your kind invitation." "Well, I am sorry you will not come," said Donna Tullia, with a rather hard laugh.