Turning, he beheld a young woman whom he immediately recognized
as Madame Grandoni's maid. Her mistress was present, she said, and
begged to confer with him before he departed.
This summons obliged Rowland to separate from Singleton, to whom he bade
farewell. He followed the messenger, and presently found Madame Grandoni
occupying a liberal area on the steps of the tribune, behind the great
altar, where, spreading a shawl on the polished red marble, she had
comfortably seated herself. He expected that she had something especial
to impart, and she lost no time in bringing forth her treasure.
"Don't shout very loud," she said, "remember that we are in church;
there 's a limit to the noise one may make even in Saint Peter's.
Christina Light was married this morning to Prince Casamassima."
Rowland did not shout at all; he gave a deep, short murmur:
"Married--this morning?"
"Married this morning, at seven o'clock, le plus tranquillement du
monde, before three or four persons. The young couple left Rome an hour
afterwards."
For some moments this seemed to him really terrible; the dark little
drama of which he had caught a glimpse had played itself out.
Pages:
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511