About this story
Your hostess's nephew turns out to be Edward Manisty, the writer whose own books first taught you to care about Italy — and a visibly reluctant host, cold until an argument over liberty and unification catches him off guard. His cousin Eleanor Burgoyne steadies the table each time his temper flares, then asks what you see in an old drawing of the Pope.
How it opens
The carriage climbed from the Campagna while a violent sunset gathered behind distant Rome.
You were Lucy Foster, a young American stranded between disrupted travel plans and unfamiliar English hosts.
My dresses were made carefully at home, though none were designed for judgment in an Italian villa.
Miss ManistyWelcome, my dear; dinner can wait while you rest and change after the journey.
BensonI can unpack for Miss Foster at once; the journey has left dust on the gray gown.
Choose
Thank Benson but unpack and dress without help.
Accept help and ask which dress would be least unsuitable for dinner.