The
scenery, said the prince, was stupendous, but the life was terribly
sad--and they had three days more! It was a blessing, he urbanely added,
to see a good Roman face.
Christina's attitude, her solemn silence and her penetrating gaze
seemed to Rowland, at first, to savor of affectation; but he presently
perceived that she was profoundly agitated, and that she was afraid of
betraying herself. "Do let us leave this hideous edifice," she said;
"there are things here that set one's teeth on edge." They moved slowly
to the door, and when they stood outside, in the sunny coolness of the
valley, she turned to Rowland and said, "I am extremely glad to see
you." Then she glanced about her and observed, against the wall of the
church, an old stone seat. She looked at Prince Casamassima a moment,
and he smiled more intensely, Rowland thought, than the occasion
demanded. "I wish to sit here," she said, "and speak to Mr.
Mallet--alone."
"At your pleasure, dear friend," said the prince.
The tone of each was measured, to Rowland's ear; but that of Christina
was dry, and that of her husband was splendidly urbane.
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