Alpha Book

One would not expect very much of him at
first, but he will do all that Madame d'Aranjuez needs."
"Otherwise you would not have recommended him, I suppose," said Spicca.
"Certainly not," replied Orsino, looking at him.
"You must know, Madame," said Spicca, "that Don Orsino is an excellent
judge of men."
He emphasised the last word in a way that seemed unnecessary. Maria
Consuelo had recovered all her equanimity and laughed carelessly.
"How you say that!" she exclaimed. "Is it a warning?"
"Against what?" asked Orsino.
"Probably against you," she said. "Count Spicca likes to throw out vague
hints--but I will do him the credit to say that they generally mean
something." She added the last words rather scornfully.
An expression of pain passed over the old man's face. But he said
nothing, though it was not like him to pass by a challenge of the kind.
Without in the least understanding the reason of the sensation, Orsino
felt sorry for him.
"Among men, Count Spicca's opinion is worth having," he said quietly.


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