The man leaning against the counter smiled in a distant, almost supercilious way. He did not say anything.

'Mamma put you up to this, didn't she?' demanded the older of the sisters with a knowing look.

The man raised his eyebrows expressively.

'She has naturally mentioned her concern. Repeatedly and on numerous occasions, for that matter. But hers is not mine.'

'Then what is?' the younger sister returned swiftly.

Instead of replying, the man raised his hand to summon the barman.

"I think I could stand another coffee. How about you two? The pastries here are supposed to be the best in town.'

'I really couldn't.'

"I shouldn't, really

The man smiled again.

'Exactly what your lovers will say when a suitable opportunity presents itself, according to your mother.'

He turned to the barman.

'Two sfogliatelle for the ladies, and another coffee for me.'

The older sister fixed him with an intense glare. She was tall for a Neapolitan, but with the characteristic sallow skin, glowing dark eyes and very fine black hair, which she wore short. Her features were sharply delineated, especially the firm, decisive mouth and the long straight nose.

"I don't care whether this was your idea, Dottor Zembla, or mamma's,' she declared. 'In either case, it is a transparent attempt, as vain as it is despicable, to undermine the feelings which Gesualdo and I cherish for one another, feelings such as persons of your generation are no longer capable of and whose strength and purity you cannot therefore be expected to understand. If I wished to be vulgar, I might suggest that it is precisely your inability to feel such emotions yourself which has generated the envy and rancour which lie behind this sordid attempt to discredit our poor lovers.'

Aurelio Zen shook his head.

'You are too ingenious, Signorina Orestina. My interest in this matter is entirely mercenary'