His mind ran forward hazily to some bold confidence or other, some dramatic appeal to Eleanor for sympathy and help.
The affection between her and Miss Foster seemed to be growing closer.

He thought of it uncomfortably, and with vague plannings of counter-strokes.
It did not suit him--nay, it presented itself somehow as an obstacle in his path.

For he had a half remorseful, half humorous feeling that Eleanor knew him too well.
* * * * * 'Ah! my dear lady,' said the Ambassador--'how few things in this world one does to please oneself! This is one of them.' Lucy flushed with a young and natural pleasure.

She was on the Ambassador's left, and he had just laid his wrinkled hand for an instant on hers, with a charming and paternal freedom.
'Have you enjoyed yourself ?--Have you lost your heart to Italy ?' said her host, stooping to her.

He was amused to see the transformation in her, the pretty dress, the developed beauty.
'I have been in fairy-land,' said Lucy, shyly, opening her blue eyes upon him.