‘Yes, I think he is,’ Leo said thoughtfully. ‘But I’m not sure if he knows it yet. If you believe him, he’s making a “suitable” marriage to the granddaughter of his mother’s old friend, but there was something very odd about that party. I don’t know what happened exactly, but afterward Marco spent the night outside, sleeping on the ground. I went out for a breather at dawn, and saw him. He didn’t see me, so I vanished.’

‘No explanations?’

‘He never said a word. You know, Marco’s last engagement got broken off in a way nobody ever talks about.’

‘And you think this one’ll be the same?’

‘Could be. It depends on how soon he realises he’s crazy about Harriet.’

‘What about your brother? Isn’t he going the same way?’

‘Oh, Guido’s got enough sense to know when he’s crazy. He’s all right. Dulcie’s perfect for him.’

‘So that just leaves you on the loose?’ Barton said with a fat chuckle.

‘On the loose and happy to stay that way. They won’t catch me.’

‘That’s what they all say, but look around. Good men are going down like ninepins.’

‘Barton, have you any idea how many women there are in the world?’ Leo demanded. ‘And how few of them I’ve managed to meet so far? A man should be broad-minded, expand his horizons.’

‘You’ll find “the one”, in the end,’ Barton said.

‘But I do, time and again. Then the next day I find another one who is also “the one”. That’s how I get short-changed.’

‘You? Short-changed?’ Barton guffawed.

‘True, I swear it. Look at me, all alone. No loving wife, no kids.’ He sighed sorrowfully. ‘You don’t know what a tragedy it is for a man to realise that nature has made him fickle.’

‘Yeah, sure!’

This time they both laughed. Leo had a delightful laugh, full of sun and wine, lusty with life. He was a man of the earth, who instinctively sought the open air and the pleasures of the senses. It was all there in his eyes, and in his big, relaxed body. But above all it was there in his laugh.