"Have you come to compare me with my original?" she asked.
"You do see how extraordinarily alike--"
"I didn't know I looked so solemn."
"You don't. Not now. You did a minute ago, quite as solemn. Oh
yes--how do you do," he finished suddenly, noticing her outstretched
hand. And he laughed and shook it, flushing--a trick of his--to the
roots of his hair.
Francesca came back. "The Signora Fisher," she said, "will be
pleased to see Him."
"Who is the Signora Fisher?" he asked Rose.
"One of the four who are sharing your house."
"Then there are four of you?"
"Yes. My friend and I found we couldn't afford it by ourselves."
"Oh, I say--" began Briggs in confusion, for he would best have
liked Rose Arbuthnot--pretty name--not to have to afford anything, but
to stay at San Salvatore as long as she liked as his guest.
"Mrs. Fisher is having coffee in the top garden," said Rose.
"I'll take you to her and introduce you."
"I don't want to go. You've got your hat on, so you were going
for a walk. Mayn't I come too? I'd immensely like being shown round
by you."
"But Mrs. Fisher is waiting for you."
"Won't she keep?"
"Yes," said Rose, with the smile that had so much attracted him
the first day. "I think she will keep quite well till tea.
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