“Truly a strange meeting!” laughed Varillo, “You three ought to be very good friends!  The Comtesse Hermenstein is a devout daughter of the Roman Church—­Madame la Princesse is against all Churches—­and you, Mr. Leigh, are making your own Church!”

Aubrey did not reply.  It was not the time or place to discuss either his principles or his work, moreover he was strangely troubled by hearing Sylvie described as “a devout daughter of the Roman Church.”

“I am charmed!” said the Princesse D’Agramont, “Good fortune really seems to favour me for once, for in the space of a fortnight I have met two of the most distinguished men of the time, ‘Gys Grandit’, and Aubrey Leigh!”

Aubrey bowed.

“You are too kind, Madame!  Grandit and I have been friends for some years, though we have never seen each other since I parted from him in Touraine.  But we have always corresponded.”

“You have of course heard who he really is?  The son of Abbe Vergniaud?” continued the Princesse.

“I have heard—­but only this morning, and I do not know any of the details of the story.”

“Then you must certainly come and drive with us,” said Loyse D’Agramont, “for I can tell you all about it.  I wrote quite a brilliant essay on it for the Figaro, and called it ’Church Morality’!” She laughed.  “Come,—­we will take no denial!”

Aubrey tried to refuse, but could not,—­the attraction,—­the ’will o’ the wisp’ magnetism of Sylvie’s dainty personality drew him on, and in a few minutes, after taking respectful leave of the Cardinal, Prince Sovrani, and Angela, he left the studio in the company of the two ladies.  Passing Monsignor Gherardi on the way out he received a wide smile and affable salute from that personage.

“A pleasant drive to you, Mr. Leigh,” he said, “The view from the Pincio is considered extremely fine!”

Aubrey made some formal answer and went his way.  Gherardi returned to the studio and resumed his confidential talk with Bonpre, while one by one the visitors departed, till at last the only persons left in the vast room were Angela and Florian Varillo, Prince Pietro, and the two dignitaries of the Church.  Florian was irritated, and made no secret of his irritation to his fair betrothed, with whom he sat a little apart from the others in the room.

“Do you want a love affair between Sylvie Hermenstein and that fellow Leigh?” he enquired, “If so, it is probable that your desire will be gratified!”

Angela raised her delicate eyebrows in a little surprise.

“I have no wish at all in the matter,” she answered, “except to see Sylvie quite happy.”

“How very romantic is the friendship between you two women!” said Varillo somewhat sarcastically, “You wish to see Sylvie happy,—­and the other day she told me she would form her judgment of me by your happiness!  Really, it is most admirable and touching!”

Angela began to feel somewhat puzzled.  Petulance and temper were not in her character, and she was annoyed to see any touch of them in her lover.