"My distress ended when the Signorina Fenshawe was brought back to her
friends. Of course, it was a dreadful thing that she should be carried
off in such a way. Were it not for the skill and resource displayed by
one of the _Aphrodite's_ officers, there is no knowing what the
consequences might have been."
"You have seen the signorina at the hotel?" put in the Governor.
"No, I came straight from the yacht. I thought it advisable."
"But the affair has been misrepresented. It is a mere bagatelle. There
exists, shall we say, a certain disagreement between you and Signor
Alfieri. There was an unhappy mistake, which I would have rectified
without any help from the yacht. You see, rumor is apt to exaggerate."
"I think you are taking a very reasonable and proper view, your
Excellency. It will be best for all parties if we try to regard the
incident in that light."
Marchetti was vaguely conscious of a too complete agreement in the
lady's tone. But he seized the apparent advantage.
"Then that is settled," he said cheerfully.
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