"I hate a thin woman," was the whispered criticism of Sir Dennis to
Trevalyon, with a suppressed emphasis on the word "hate."
Trevalyon smiled, giving a side glance at Vaura's rounded form, as she bent gracefully with extended hand in welcome.
"Faith, you may well look in that direction," remarked the Irishman, detecting him. "She's fair enough to seduce a look from His Holiness himself."
Here Lady Esmondet introduced Sir Dennis O'Gormon to the Marchmonts;
Trevalyon and Douglas having met them before.
The butler now announced dinner, when Lady Esmondet taking the arm of Sir Dennis assigned Mrs. Marchmont to Trevalyon, when Douglas handed in Vaura and Miss Marchmont.
Lady Esmondet found Sir Dennis a pleasant neighbour, who devoted himself equally to Vaura on his left and to his hostess at the head of the table. As usual the table was decorated with the rarest of flowers, which sent forth their delicate perfume from a large stand, the design of which was an imitation of the famed terraced gardens of Semiramis: the shrubs and trees represented in miniature by the most delicate ferns and mosses; the whole a triumph of nature and art. Choice flowers stood in a tiny bed of moss in front of each person. Many delicate desert dishes were not only tempting to the palate, but pleasing to the eye, while the wines in the cellar of the noble Don Ferdinand were well known and appreciated.
"Del Castello has a snug place here, Lady Esmondet," observed Sir
Dennis.
"Extremely so, Sir Dennis. We are much more comfortably placed by the kindness of the Marquis than we should have been at an hotel."
"He is a fine generous soul, always remembering that he is not the only member of the human race," said Sir Dennis (who had met him).
"It is a charming little winter home," said Vaura. "I shall regret to leave it."