But he merely looked her over
blandly and forbearingly.
"I am sorry," he said, "very sorry you should consider such a thing
as possible of your work. But no doubt you speak on impulse. Your
distinguished uncle, the Cardinal Bonpre, would be sadly distressed
if your picture should contain anything of a nature to bring you any
condemnation from the Vatican,--and your father . . ."
"Leave me out of it, if you please!" interrupted Prince Pietro, "I
have nothing whatever to do with it! Angela works with a free hand;
none of us have seen what she is doing."
"Not even you, Signor Varillo?" enquired Gherardi affably.
"Oh, I?" laughed Florian carelessly, "No indeed! I have not the
least idea of the subject or the treatment!"
"A mystery then?" said Gherardi, still preserving his bland suavity
of demeanour, "But permit me, Donna Sovrani, to express the hope
that when the veil is lifted a crown of laurels may be disclosed for
you!"
Angela thanked him by a silent inclination of her head, and in a few
minutes the stately Vatican spy had taken his leave. As he
disappeared the Cardinal rose from his chair and moving somewhat
feebly, prepared to return to his own apartments.
"Dearest uncle, will you not stay with us to-night? Or are you too
tired?" asked Angela as she came to his side.
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