with a sensational figure and a compelling, natural talent. She had won an Oscar and a Silver Palm award and was always in great demand. Tracy recognized that she was dressed in a Valentino evening gown that sold for five thousand dollars, and the jewelry she wore must have been worth close to a million. Tracy remembered Gunther Hartog's words: The more unfaithful he is to her, the more jewelry he gives her. By this time Silvana should be able to open her own jewelry store.
"This is your first time on the Orient Express, signorina?" Fornati opened the conversation, after Tracy was seated.
"Yes, it is."
"Ah, it is a very romantic train, filled with legend." His eyes were moist. "There are many interessante tales about it. For instance, Sir Basil Zaharoff, the arms tycoon, used to ride the old Orient Express - always in the seventh compartment. One night he hears a scream and a pounding on his door. A bellissima young Spanish duchess throws herself upon him." Fornati paused to butter a roll and take a bite. "Her husband was trying to murder her. The parents had arranged the marriage, and the poor girl now realized her husband was insane. Zaharoff restrained the husband and calmed the hysterical young woman and thus began a romance that lasted forty years."
"How exciting," Tracy said. Her eyes were wide with interest.
"S屑. Every year after that they meet on the Orient Express, he in compartment number seven, she in number eight. When her husband died; the lady and Zaharoff were married, and as a token of his love, he bought her the casino at Monte Carlo as a wedding gift."
"What a beautiful story, Mr. Fornati."
Silvana Luadi sat in stony silence.
"Mangia," Fornati urged Tracy. "Eat."
The menu consisted of six courses, and Tracy noted that Alberto Fornati ate each one and finished what his wife left on her plate. In between bites he kept up a constant chatter.
"You are an actress, perhaps?" he asked Tracy.
She laughed. "Oh no. I'm just a tourist."
He beamed at her. "Bellissima. You are beautiful enough to be an actress."
"She said she is not an actress," Silvana said sharply.
Alberto Fornati ignored her. "I produce motion pictures," he told Tracy. "You have heard of them, of course: Wild Savages, The Titans versus Superwoman...."
"I don't see many movies," Tracy apologized. She felt his fat leg press against hers under the table.
"Perhaps I can arrange to show you some of mine."
Silvana turned white with anger.
"Do you ever get to Rome, my dear?" His leg was moving up and down against Tracy's.
"As a matter of fact, I'm planning to go to Rome after Venice."
"Splendid! Benissimo! We will all get together for dinner. Won't we, cara?" He gave a quick glance toward Silvana before he continued. "We have a lovely villa off the Appian Way. Ten acres of - " His hand made a sweeping gesture and knocked a bowl of gravy into his wife's lap. Tracy could not be sure whether it was deliberate or not.
Silvana Luadi rose to her feet and looked at the spreading stain on her dress. "Sei un mascalzone!" she screamed. "Tieni le tue puttane lontano da me!"
She stormed out of the dining car, every eye following her.
"What a shame," Tracy murmured. "It's such a beautiful dress." She could have slapped the man for degrading his wife. She deserves every carat of jewelry she has, Tracy thought, and more.
He sighed. "Fornati will buy her another one. Pay no attention to her manners. She is very jealous of Fornati."
"I'm sure she has good reason to be." Tracy covered her irony with a small smile.
He preened. "It is true. Women find Fornati very attractive."
It was all Tracy could do to keep from bursting out laughing at the pompous little man. "I can understand that."
He reached across the table and took her hand. "Fornati likes you," he said. "Fornati likes you very much. What do you do for a living?"
"I'm a legal secretary. I saved up all my money for this trip. I hope to get an interesting position in Europe."
His bulging eyes roved over her body. "You will have no problem, Fornati promises you. He is very nice to people who are very nice to him."
"How wonderful of you," Tracy said shyly.
He lowered his voice. "Perhaps we could discuss this later this evening in your cabin?"
"That might be embarrassing."
"Perch泄? Why?"
"You're so famous. Everyone on the train probably knows who you are."
"Naturally."
"If they see you come to my cabin -