In stature he was barely of the middle size; but every part of his body was so perfectly proportioned that he appeared, in any position, taller than he really was.

The upper part of his dress, thrown open from the heat, partly disclosed the fine statuesque formation of his neck and chest.

His ears, hands, and feet were of that smallness and delicacy which is held to denote the aristocracy of birth; and there was in his manner that indescribable combination of unobtrusive dignity and unaffected elegance, which in all ages and countries, and through all changes of manners and customs, has rendered the demeanour of its few favoured possessors the instantaneous interpreter of their social rank.
While the patrician was still occupied over his vellum, the following conversation took place in whispers between two ladies placed near the situation he occupied.
'Tell me, Camilla,' said the eldest and stateliest of the two, 'who is the courtier so occupied in composition?
I have endeavoured, I know not how often, to catch his eye; but the man will look at nothing but his roll of vellum or the corners of the room.' 'What, are you so great a stranger in Italy as not to know him!' replied the other, a lively girl of small delicate form, who fidgeted with persevering restlessness on her couch, and seemed incapable of giving an instant's steady attention to any of the objects around her.
'By all the saints, martyrs, and relics of my uncle the bishop!' 'Hush! You should not swear!' 'Not swear! Why, I am making a new collection of oaths, intended solely for ladies' use! I intend to set the fashion of swearing by them myself!' 'But answer my question, I beseech you! Will you never learn to talk on one subject at a time ?' 'Your question--ah, your question! It was about the Goths ?' 'No, no! It was about that man who is incessantly writing, and will look at nobody.

He is almost as provoking as Camilla herself!' 'Don't frown so! That man, as you call him, is the senator Vetranio.' The lady started.

It was evident that Vetranio had a reputation.
'Yes!' continued the lively Camilla, 'that is the accomplished Vetranio; but he will be no favourite of yours, for he sometimes swears--swears by the ancient gods, too, which is forbidden!' 'He is handsome.' 'Handsome! he is beautiful! Not a woman in Italy but is languishing for him!' 'I have heard that he is clever.' 'Who has not?
He is the author of some of the most celebrated sauces of the age.