Leigh--and to Gys Grandit!"
She withdrew at once with Angela, and in another moment Gherardi was
ushered in. He glanced quickly around him as he made his formal
salutation,--his eyes rested for a moment on Sylvie and Aubrey
Leigh--then he addressed himself to Prince Pietro.
"I am sorry to intrude upon you, Prince!" he said. "I have an urgent
matter to discuss with Cardinal Bonpre, and must see him at once."
"I regret that it is not in my power to gratify your desire,
Monsignor," said Prince Sovrani with stiff courtesy. "My brother-in-
law the Cardinal left Rome last night"
"Left Rome! Left Rome!" exclaimed Gherardi. "Who gave him permission
to leave Rome!"
"Was permission necessary?" asked Aubrey, stepping forward.
"I did not address you, sir," returned Gherardi haughtily. "I spoke
to Prince Sovrani."
"Prince Sovrani might well decline to answer you," said Aubrey
undauntedly. "Were I to make him acquainted with the fiendish plot
you have contrived against his daughter's fame and honour, he would
scarcely allow you to cross his threshold!"
Gherardi stood still, breathing quickly, but otherwise unmoved.
"Plot?" he echoed. "You must be mad! I have no plot against anyone.
My business is to uphold the cause of truth and justice, and I shall
certainly defend the name of the great artist who painted that
picture"--and he pointed to Angela's canvas--"Florian Varillo! Dead
as he is, his memory shall live!"
"Dead!" cried Prince Sovrani, springing forward.
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