CHAPTER XIV
Constance occupied herself upon their return to Villa Rosa in writing theletter to Jerry Junior. It had occurred to her that this was an excellentchance to punish him, and it was the working philosophy of her life thata man should always be punished when opportunity presented. Tony had beenentirely too unconcerned during the past few days; he needed a lesson.She spent three-quarters of an hour in composing her letter, and tore uptwo false starts before she was satisfied. It did not contain theslightest hint that she knew the truth, and--considered in this light--itwas likely to have a chastening effect. The letter ran--
'VILLA ROSA, VALEDOLMO, 'LAGO DI GARDA.
'DEAR JERRY JUNIOR: I hope you don't mind being called "Jerry Junior," but "Mr. Hilliard" sounds so absurdly formal, when I have known your sister so long and so well. We are spending the summer here in Valedolmo, and Mrs. Eustace and Nannie have promised to stop with us for a few days, provided you can be persuaded to pause in your mad rush through Europe. Now please take pity on us--guests are such unusual luxuries, and as for _men_! Besides a passing tourist or so, we have had nothing but Italian officers. You can climb mountains with my father--Nan says you are a climber--and we can supply mountains enough to keep you occupied for a month.
'My father would write himself, only that he is climbing this moment.
'Yours most cordially, 'CONSTANCE WILDER.'
'P.S.--I forgot to mention that we are acquainted already, you and I. We met six years ago, and you insulted me--under your own roof. You called me a _kid_. I shall accept nothing but a personal apology.'
Having read it critically, she sealed and addressed it with maliciousdelight; it was calculated to arouse just about the emotions she wouldlike to have Tony entertain. She gave the note to Giuseppe withinstructions to place it in Gustavo's hands, and then settled herselfgaily to await results.
Giuseppe was barely out of sight when the two Alpine climbers appeared atthe gate. Constance had been wondering how she could inform Tony that hisaunt and sister had arrived, without unbending from the dignified silenceof the past three days. The obvious method was to announce it to herfather in Tony's presence, but her father slipped into the house by theback way without affording her an opportunity. It was Tony himself whosolved the difficulty. Of his own accord he crossed the terrace andapproached her side. He laid a bunch of edelweiss on the balustrade.
'It's a peace offering,' he observed.
She looked at him a moment without speaking. There was a new expressionin her eyes that puzzled Tony, just as the expression in his eyes thatmorning on the water had puzzled her. She was studying him in the lightof Jerry Junior. The likeness to the sophomore who six years before sangthe funny songs without a smile, was so very striking, she wondered shecould ever have overlooked it.
'Thank you, Tony; it is very nice of you.' She picked up the flowers andsmiled--with the knowledge of the letter that was waiting for him shecould afford to be forgiving.
'You discharged me, signorina; will you take me back into your service?'
'I am not going to climb any more mountains; it is too fatiguing. I thinkit is better for you and my father to go alone.'
'I will serve you in other ways.'
Constance studied the mountains a moment. Should she tell him she knew,or should she keep up the pretence a little longer? Her insatiable loveof intrigue won.
'Are you sure you wish to be taken back?'
'_Si_, signorina, I am very sure.'
'Then perhaps you will do me a favour on your way home to-night?'
'You have but to ask.'
'I wish to send a message to a young American man who is staying at theHotel du Lac--you may have seen him?'
Tony nodded.
'I have climb Monte Maggiore wif him. You recommend me; I sank you ver'moch. Nice man, zat yong American; ver' good, ver' simpatico.' He leanedforward with a sudden air of anxiety. 'Signorina, you--you like zat yongman?'
'I have only met him twice, but--yes, I like him.'
'You like him better zan me?' His anxiety deepened; he hung upon herword.
She shook her head reassuringly.
'I like you both exactly the same.'
'Signorina, which you like better, zat yong American or ze SignorLieutenant?'
'Your questions are getting too personal, Tony.'
He folded his arms and sighed.
'Will you deliver my message?'
'_Si_, signorina, wif pleasure.' There was not a trace of curiosity inhis expression, nothing beyond a deferential desire to serve.
'Tell him, Tony, that Miss Wilder will be at home to-morrow afternoon attea-time; if he will come by the gate and present a card she will be mostpleased to see him. She wishes him to meet an American friend, a MissHilliard, who has just arrived at the hotel this afternoon.'
She watched him sharply; his expression did not alter by a shade. Herepeated the message and then added as if by the merest chance--
'Ze yong American man, signorina--you know his name?'
'Yes, I know his name.' This time for the fraction of a second shesurprised a look. 'His name'--she hesitated tantalizingly--'is SignorAbraham Lincoln.'
'Signor Ab-ra-ham Lin-coln.' He repeated it after her as if committing itto memory. They gazed at each other soberly a moment; then both laughedand looked away.
Luigi had appeared in the doorway. Seeing no one more important than Tonyabout, he found no reason for delaying the announcement of dinner.
'_Il pranzo e sulla tavola, signorina._'
'_Bene_!' said Constance over her shoulder. She turned back to Tony; hermanner was kind. 'If you go to the kitchen, Tony, Elizabetta will giveyou some dinner.'
'Sank you, signorina.' His manner was humble. 'Elizabetta's dinnersconsist of a plate of garlic and macaroni on the kitchen steps. I don'tlike garlic and I'm tired of macaroni; if it's just the same to you, Ithink I'll dine at home.' He held out his hand.
She read his purpose in his eye and put her own hands behind her.
'You won't shake hands, signorina? We are not friends?'
'I learned a lesson the last time.'
'You shake hands wif Lieutenant Count Carlo di Ferara.'
'It is the custom in Italy.'
'We are in Italy.'
'Behave yourself, Tony, and run along home!'
She laughed and nodded and turned away. On the steps she paused to add--
'Be sure not to forget the message for Signor Abraham Lincoln. I shall bedisappointed if he doesn't come.'