Round it grew up grasses and tall vetches which had sown themselves among the gaping stones of the terrace.

Nothing, therefore, could be seen of the talker as he leant carelessly across the table but the magnificent head, and the shoulders on which it was so freely and proudly carried.
Anybody noticing the effect--for it was an effect--would have thought it a mere happy accident.

Eleanor Burgoyne alone knew that it was conscious.
She had seen the same pose, the same concealment practised too often to be mistaken.

But it made no difference whatever to the spell that held her.
The small vanities and miseries of Manisty's nature were all known to her--and alas! she would not have altered one of them! * * * * * When the Cardinal rose to go, two Italian girls, who had come with their brother, the Count Casaleschi, ran forward, and curtseying kissed the Cardinal's ring.

And as he walked away, escorted by Manisty, a gardener crossed the avenue, who also at sight of the tall red-sashed figure fell on his knees and did the same.