"Oh God," said Claudia. "So you wouldn't mind a homosexual at the Quirinale, would you?"

"Not at all."

"Unbelievable, unbelievable," said Teresa Paleologo.

"I agree with Cristiano," said Germaine.

"I don't," said Bennati. "Not for moral reasons, but because the head of state, a king or a president, it doesn't matter, must represent the majority, and the majority is made up of heterosexuals."

"That's right," said Filippo.

"Well, I must admit I'm a monarchist," said Donna Vittoria, "but I'd be more tolerant anyway."

Bepo shook his head. "I wouldn't. Filiberto is quite right. Our tolerance oughtn't to go beyond the principle that our leaders should share the taste, any sort of legitimate taste, of the average man."

Claudia said, "Very good: legitimate is the word. It seems to me that by using it Bepo has shown us that Filiberto's stance is unassailable, hasn't he, Cristiano?"

There would be no replying: he'd seen enough. They'd finished the pudding. Donna Teresa gave the lead and some of them began to smoke. It was his turn now for a puff: a servant was on his left with the cigarette box; he took one and the servant put a match to it.