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Updated: May 15, 2025
From the hall the left wing is reached, where the reception-rooms are, and one's eyes are dazzled by the brightness which reigns there. It is like coming out from a cathedral into broad daylight. The furniture, of gilt wood and Genoese velvet, looks very bright. The walls are white and gold; and flowers are everywhere.
He remembered his grey travelling clothes, and all his natural distaste for social amenities returned with unabated force as he neared the reception-rooms and heard the softly modulated rise and fall of feminine voices, the swishing of silks and muslin, the faint perfume of flowers and scents which seemed to fill the air. At the last moment he would have withdrawn, but his guide seemed deaf.
The gorgeous furniture of the reception-rooms was wrapped in mackintoshes, the conservatory was changed into an aquarium, the Bridge of Sighs crossed an actual canal in the stable-yard. Only the billiard-room and Mr. Prince's bed-room and office remained intact, and in the latter, one stormy afternoon, Mr. Prince himself sat busy over his books and papers.
The next day the gentlemen were dispersed out of doors, a large shooting party. Those who did not shoot, walked forth to inspect the racing stud or the model farm. The ladies had taken their walk; some were in their own rooms, some in the reception-rooms, at work, or reading, or listening to the piano, Honoria Carr Vipont again performing.
During three days the reception-rooms remained wide open, all could enter, and from room to room ushers repeated the names of those who came patricians, people of the middle class, poor folks, all Rome indeed, whom the new cardinal received with sovereign kindliness, as a king might receive his subjects.
He said that he could not accept payment for decorations which had never been completed. He would always hold sacred the remembrance of the day when your highness fell insensible upon a heap of garlands that were to have ornamented your reception-rooms, and he had been near to lift you in his arms.
I begged him to wait till this evening, as he could then see the reception-rooms to more advantage but I did not then anticipate the honor of receiving you." "Monsieur de Saint-Herem," she said, still hesitatingly, "you have been very indulgent to me will you allow me one more question?"
When his guests had gone, Duplessis remained seated in meditation apparently pleasant meditation, for he smiled while indulging it; he then passed through the reception-rooms to one at the far end appropriated to Valerie as a boudoir or morning-room, adjoining her bed-chamber; he knocked gently at the door, and, all remaining silent within, he opened it noiselessly and entered.
The following day he found in his letter-box at the office an envelope containing Mme, Walter's card on which was written: "Mme. Walter thanks M. Georges Duroy very much, and is at home on Saturdays." The next Saturday he called. M. Walter lived on Boulevard Malesherbes in a double house which he owned. The reception-rooms were on the first floor.
Not another word was exchanged between them, and as they re-entered the ducal reception-rooms, now more crowded than ever, Lord Blythe met them. "I was just going to look for you," he said to his wife "There are dozens of people waiting to be presented to Miss Armitage; the Duchess has asked for her several times." Lady Blythe turned to Innocent with a dazzling smile.
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