Alpha Book

He wondered how the
late Aranjuez had lived and what death he had died.
He offered the suggestion.
"It would be appropriate," replied Madame d'Aragona. "The Sphynx in the
Desert. Rome is a desert to me."
"It only depends on you--" Orsino began.
"Oh, of course! To make acquaintances, to show myself a little
everywhere--it is simple enough. But it wearies me--until one is caught
up in the machinery, a toothed wheel going round with the rest, one only
bores oneself, and I may leave so soon. Decidedly it is not worth the
trouble. Is it?"
She turned her eyes to Orsino as though asking his advice. Orsino
laughed.
"How can you ask that question!" he exclaimed. "Only let the trouble be
ours."
"Ah! I said you were enthusiastic." She shook her head, and rose from
her seat. "It is time for me to go. We have done nothing this morning,
and it is all your fault, Prince."
"I am distressed--I will not intrude upon your next sitting."
"Oh--as far as that is concerned--" She did not finish the sentence, but
took up the neglected tiger's skin from the chair on which it lay.


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