I suppose that is what they call the sacred fire."
Rowland made no answer except to ask her in a moment if she would have
another roll. She merely shook her head and went on:--
"Tell me how you found him. Where was he--how was he?"
"He was in a place called Northampton. Did you ever hear of it? He was
studying law--but not learning it."
"It appears it was something horrible, eh?"
"Something horrible?"
"This little village. No society, no pleasures, no beauty, no life."
"You have received a false impression. Northampton is not as gay as
Rome, but Roderick had some charming friends."
"Tell me about them. Who were they?"
"Well, there was my cousin, through whom I made his acquaintance: a
delightful woman."
"Young--pretty?"
"Yes, a good deal of both. And very clever."
"Did he make love to her?"
"Not in the least."
"Well, who else?"
"He lived with his mother. She is the best of women."
"Ah yes, I know all that one's mother is. But she does not count as
society. And who else?"
Rowland hesitated. He wondered whether Christina's insistence was
the result of a general interest in Roderick's antecedents or of a
particular suspicion.
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