Those of the Castagnas proved, by their escutcheons, what alliances the last of the grand-nephews of Urban VII, the actual Prince d'Ardea, entered into.

Three very elegant ladies were examining the chests; in them Dorsenne recognized at once fair and delicate Alba Steno, Madame Gorka, with her tall form, her fair hair, too, and her strong English profile, and pretty Madame Maitland, with her olive complexion, who did not seem to have inherited any more negro blood than just enough to tint her delicate face.

Florent Chapron, the painter's brother-in-law, was the only man with those three ladies.

Countess Steno and Lincoln Maitland were not there, and one could hear the musical voice of Alba spelling the heraldry carved on the coffers, formerly opened with tender curiosity by young girls, laughing and dreaming by turns like her.
"Look, Maud," said she to Madame Gorka, "there is the oak of the Della Rovere, and there the stars of the Altieri." "And I have found the column of the Colonna," replied Maud Gorka.
"And you, Lydia ?" said Mademoiselle Steno to Madame Maitland.
"And I, the bees of the Barberini." "And I, the lilies of the Farnese," said in his turn Florent Chapron, who, having raised his head first, perceived the newcomers.

He greeted them with a pleasant smile, which was reflected in his eyes and which showed his white teeth.