:26:18
It's you, Diello.
- Do I disturb you, madam?
:26:21
Not at all. It's always
a pleasure to see you.
:26:23
Come in.
:26:28
Take your coat off, sit
down and gossip with me.
:26:31
I have a dinner engagement...
:26:33
...but he's an undersecretary
and used to waiting.
:26:36
Any particular undersecretary, madam?
:26:38
Undersecretaries are
never particular, Diello.
:26:41
Perhaps that's why
they take me to dinner.
:26:44
It is far more likely that,
in madam's presence...
:26:47
...they feel like ambassadors.
:26:49
Of all the diplomats I've
known, you're still the best.
:26:52
It is my fortune that you've
known so few valets.
:26:55
Diello, please. I've spoken
to you about this before.
:26:59
You're the valet to the British
Ambassador, not to me.
:27:01
Now, sit down and tell me the gossip.
:27:04
Well, to begin with, the noses of the
wives of the Diplomatic Corps...
:27:09
...Axis, Allied and Neutral...
:27:11
...have been badly out
of joint this past week.
:27:13
Due to?
- Due to the ease with which the...
:27:15
...Countess Staviska once more
proved herself the most radiant...
:27:18
...beautiful, and sought
after lady in Ankara...
:27:21
...at last week's reception.
- Another of your unverified rumours.
:27:25
I was afraid madam would
accuse me unjustly.
:27:28
I'm prepared to name my authority.
- Who?
:27:30
The British Ambassador, no less.
:27:32
He spoke of your
beauty and brilliance...
:27:35
...and hospitality, of how,
in the old days...
:27:37
...you were a symbol of
everything worth having.
:27:40
A symbol of the good
all days. That's me.
:27:46
The last of the lot.
:27:48
If I'm lucky I'll get a thousand lira.
:27:52
Diello, will you take it to the
pawn shop for me tomorrow?
:27:56
I couldn't face the
haggling and whining.
:27:59
Perhaps it would be pleasant
for you to go tomorrow...