The younger woman brushed the pastry crumbs from her ample bosom.

'When would we be going?'

'Right away. That gives you a couple of weeks over there before you have to be back to sit your exams.'

'Out of the question/ said Orestina.

'I'll need to discuss it with Sabatino/ said Filomena.

Zen clapped his hand to his forehead.

'For God's sake! The whole point is that they're not to know that it's a test.'

'But I always tell Sabatino everything!' wailed the younger sister, starting to weep again.

'Look!' said Zen. 'If Sabatino and Gesualdo are the paragons you claim, what have you got to lose? You not only get the holiday of a lifetime in London, all expenses paid, but a chance to demonstrate once and for all that these young men, despite their other shortcomings, are indeed worthy of your devotion — and of your hand in marriage. In short, you get a chance to prove your mother wrong, and at her expense!'

There was a silence.

'How much?' asked Orestina.

Zen gave her an ingenuous smile.

'Pardon me?'

'You have just admitted that your interest in this is purely mercenary. So how much are we talking about?'

Zen twirled his left hand in the air.

'A hundred thousand? I forget exactly. The money isn't really important. I just suggested it to add a certain piquancy to the whole experience.'

Orestina nodded.

"I see. Well, let's see if we can't make this "experience" still more piquant for you, Dottor Zembla. I propose a side bet for the same amount between the three of us. If you win, we will pay you fifty thousand each in addition to the hundred from mamma. If you lose, Filomena and I split the pot, a hundred thousand lire each. What do you say?'

Aurelio Zen frowned and appeared to struggle for a moment. Then he thrust out his arm, grasped Orestina's delicate but surprisingly muscular hand, and shook it vigorously.