CHAPTER XVII. THE BALCONY AT IMANO'S 

At six o'clock that evening, Tavernake rang up the Milan Court and inquired for Elizabeth. There was a moment or two's delay and then he heard her reply. Even over the telephone wires, even though he stood, cramped and uncomfortable, in that stuffy little telephone booth, he felt the quick start of pleasure, the thrill of something different in life, which came to him always at the sound of her voice, at the slightest suggestion of her presence. 

"Well, my friend, what fortune?" she asked him. 

"None," he answered. "I have done my best. Beatrice will not listen to me." 

"She will not come and see me?" 

"She will not." 

Elizabeth was silent for a moment. When she spoke again, there was a change in her tone. 

"You have failed, then." 

"I did everything that could be done," Tavernake insisted eagerly. "I am quite sure that nothing anybody could say would move Beatrice. She is very decided indeed." 

"I have another idea," Elizabeth remarked, after a brief pause. "She will not come to me; very well, I must go to her. You must take me there." 

"I cannot do that," Tavernake answered. 

"Why not?" 

"Beatrice has refused absolutely to permit me to tell you or any one else of her whereabouts," he declared. "Without her permission I cannot do it." 

"Do you mean that?" she asked. 

"Of course," he answered uncomfortably. 

There was another silence. When she spoke again, her voice had changed for the second time. Tavernake felt his heart sink as he listened. 
Who did Tavernake look for?
Where did he look for her?
At what time?
Did he call her over the phone?
From where?
Was he happy to hear her?
Did he always enjoy her presence?
Who they were talking about?
Did she agreed to him?
About what?
Who Beatrice didn't want to see?
Was she firm about her decision?
Who was disappointed about it?
And Elizabeth too?
Did Tavernake try hard to convince Bearice?
Did Elizabeth want to go to her instead?
Did she want him to bring her there?
Who knew where Beatrice was?
Did he have her permission to tell it to others?
Did Elizabeth think he would be firm about his conviction at the end?
Elizabeth
Elizabeth
Milan
Milan
moment or two's delay
moment or two's delay
yes
little telephone booth
booth
booth
yes
slightest suggestion of her presence.
yes
slightest suggestion of her presence.
Beatrice
Beatrice 
no
You have failed, then." 

ou must take me there
ou must take me there
Elizabeth
Elizabeth 
yes
She is very decided indeed." 

Tavernake
Tavernake 
yes
Do you mean that?
yes
Beatrice has refused absolutely
yes
 must go to her. You must take me there
no
I cannot do that
Tavernake
Tavernake 
no
whereabouts
no
"Do you mean that?" she asked. 