It had been plainly expressed and clearly understood. Therefore
she had a right to expect them to stay inside the round drawing-room
and not to emerge interruptingly on to her battlements.
But would they? The doubt spoilt her morning. It was only
towards lunch-time that she saw a way to be quite safe, and ringing for
Francesca, bade her, in slow and majestic Italian, shut the shutters of
the glass door of the round drawing-room, and then, going with her into
the room, which had become darker than ever in consequence, but also,
Mrs. Fisher observed to Francesca, who was being voluble, would because
of this very darkness remain agreeably cool, and after all there were
the numerous slit-windows in the walls to let in light and it was
nothing to do with her if they did not let it in, she directed the
placing of a cabinet of curios across the door on its inside.
This would discourage egress.
Then she rang for Domenico, and caused him to move one of the
flower-filled sarcophagi across the door on its outside.
This would discourage ingress.
"No one," said Domenico, hesitating, "will be able to use the
door."
"No one," said Mrs. Fisher firmly, "will wish to."
She then retired to her sitting-room, and from a chair placed
where she could look straight on to them, gazed at her battlements,
secured to her now completely, with calm pleasure.
Pages:
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133