Or let them try the experiment. Gastritis will be
the result of good intentions. . . ."
Mr. Heard stretched out his legs. He was beginning to feel at ease. He
like this comely old man; he detected an abiding quality in his outlook
and person. And he felt at home in these surroundings. There was an air
of simplicity and refinement in that calm ground-floor chamber, with
its subdued light filtering through windows that opened upon the
courtyard, groined vaulting of noble proportions, stucco frieze stained
with age to an ivory hue, and those other decorations which the Count,
loyal to the traditions of old-world peasant architecture, had piously
left unaltered--or, it may be, adapted to modern needs by touches so
deft as not to reveal his own consummate artistry. Through the open
door by which they had entered came breathings of warm wind laden with
the suave odour of a tuft of Madonna lilies that grew, half neglected,
in a shady corner. He had noticed them on his entry--how they stood in
proud clusters, bending forward with mighty effort to reach the light.
Pages:
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576