There is no _salon_ in the good old sense of the word--no house where all that is intelligent, all that is powerful, all that is influential, is irresistibly drawn.

To make a centre of that kind would be a worthy object, it seems to me.

You would surround yourself with men of genius; you would bring those together who cannot meet elsewhere; you would give a vigorous tone to a society which is fast falling to decay from inanition; you could become a power, a real power, not only in Rome, but in Europe; you could make your house famous as the point from which, in Rome, all that is good and great should radiate to the very ends of the earth.

You could do all this in your young widowhood, and you would not dishonour the memory of him you loved so dearly." Corona looked earnestly at the Cardinal as he enlarged upon the possibilities of her life.

What he said seemed true and good.