"
"No, a fellow wouldn't have to try your larding system to get himself
into waltzing shape; did your little. English duchess cater for him,"
had laughed Castenelli.
But let us return to the Duchess of Wyesdale and her guests.
It seemed to Lady Esmondet, who was seated near her hostess, who plied
her with questions as to Captain Trevalyon's whereabouts and possible
doings, an insufferable bore to be there. To Vaura, who was more
pleasantly placed; it seemed as though a few sentences were said, a
few mouthfuls eaten, and the feast over.
"How is your noble king; Signor Castenelli," inquired Vaura.
"Our beauteous flowers will not bloom, nor our sweet-song birds sing
another summer for him; my heart weeps as I say it, Signora."
"Yes; he is a fit king for so fair a land, and I sincerely trust for
your sake and Italy, your fears will not be realized. The gentle Pius
IX. is also stricken down."
"Yes, Signora, but our Holy Father's loss could be more easily
replaced than that of our beloved temporal sovereign."
"Yes; a few solitary closetings of the Cardinals, a few ballots taken,
a few volumes of smoke, and the Pope lives again.
Pages:
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386