Robert Broke, a recent widower, had withstood the charms of Florence and confined himself to his rare-book store there. But his knowledge of Etruscan art and a lavish party given by eccentric Professor Bronzini pulled Robert out of his shell. This delighted Elizabeth, who had her eyes on him, and Tina who kept house for him and had become more than fond of him. Professor Bronzini not only gave elaborate parties but he was busily excavating his family's tombs, full of superb relics. Tina's father, a great craftsman, if rather too fond of his vino, was helping the professor restore these treasures.
