She was a very striking woman; every one knew who she was, every one looked towards her, and the little murmur that went round the room was due to her entrance rather than to Signor Strillone's high note.
The Duchessa d'Astrardente stood still, and quietly looked about her.

A minister, two secretaries, and three or four princes sprang towards her, each with a chair in hand; but she declined each offer, nodding to one, thanking another by name, and exchanging a few words with a third.

She would not sit down; she had not yet spoken to the ambassadress.
Two men followed her closely as she crossed the room when the song was finished.

One was a fair man of five-and-thirty, rather stout, and elaborately dressed.

He trod softly and carried his hat behind him, while he leaned a little forward in his walk.