Lola had not been prepared for a party, but the Italian wanted to show off the importance of his guest.
There were therefore a number of pretty women with distinguished husbands, in fact the crème de la crème of Florence, and they sat down twenty for dinner.
The Marquis, of course, could not talk about his train as it was a secret known only to Signor Galvani.
Lola thought that it was a lovely party. She had been to so few and she was engulfed by all the extravagant compliments paid to her by the two Italians who sat either side of her.
Everyone was astonished that she spoke such good Italian and, when the party was over, Signor Galvani said,
“I can only thank you, my Lady, for making my dinner party a special occasion that will be talked about and remembered long after you have left
