Alpha Book

He could not
go to the man's house, but he might possibly meet him at Maria
Consuelo's. He was surprised to find that he had almost forgotten her in
his anxiety to become a man of business. It was too early to call yet,
and in order to kill the time he went home, got a horse from the stables
and rode out into the country for a couple of hours.
At half-past five o'clock he entered the familiar little sitting-room in
the hotel. Madame d'Aranjuez was alone, cutting a new book with the
jewelled knife which continued to be the only object of the kind visible
in the room. She smiled as Orsino entered, and she laid aside the volume
as he sat down in his accustomed place.
"I thought you were not coming," she said.
"Why?"
"You always come at five. It is half-past to-day." Orsino looked at his
watch.
"Do you notice whether I come or not?" he asked.
Maria Consuelo glanced at his face, and laughed.
"What have you been doing to-day?" she asked. "That is much more
interesting."
"Is it? I am afraid not.


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