After dinner, the Count was announced. They hadn't seen him for two days. Signor Pastrini informed them that business had called him to a coastal town. He'd left the previous evening and returned only an hour ago.
The Count was charming. Whether he was monitoring himself or whether by accident he avoided sensitive topics, tonight he seemed like everyone else. The man remained an enigma to Franz. The Count must know that Franz recognized him, yet he hadn't said a single word indicating any previous acquaintance. On his side, though Franz desperately wanted to mention their earlier encounter, the fear of offending the man who'd shown them such kindness prevented him from bringing it up.
