Dinner was served then, and Patty went into a dining-room that made her feel as if she had been transplanted to China itself. It was really a remarkable room. The walls were hung with marvellous satin embroideries that had belonged to the Empress Dowager of China; and the screens and chairs were covered with the same exquisite handiwork. Bronzes and pottery of rare values were everywhere, and all of the dinner service was of porcelain, silver, and gold, that had once graced the tables in royal palaces.
Patty was so enraptured, looking at the beautiful and curious things, she had no appetite for the viands that were offered her by soft-footed, swift-motioned Celestials.
“You are more susceptible to beauty and colour than any one I ever saw, Miss Fairfield,” said her host, after he had covertly watched Patty’s shining eyes.
“She is,” declared her father. “From a child she has loved pretty things, and she has a perfect passion for bright colour.”
“But always with a good sense of colour values,” put in Nan, lest Mr. Leland should think Patty a little barbarian.
“I’m sure of that,” he said, kindly; “and I shall hope, Miss Fairfield, to have the pleasure of showing you some of the most beautiful things in Rome, which are not shown, except to appreciative eyes.”
Patty’s appreciative eyes danced at this, for she knew Mr. Leland was a man of influence, and could take her to many places where strangers were not usually allowed.
After dinner a delightful evening was spent viewing the treasures collected by their host on his many trips to Oriental countries, and Patty became more and more awed at his extensive knowledge of the art works of all ages and countries.
“I don’t see how you remember it all,” she said, looking at him earnestly. “I should think you’d have to have a head as big as the Coliseum, and,—you haven’t!”
“No one can have the ‘big head,’” said Mr. Leland, smiling, “when he realises the great minds and great geniuses who have produced these wonderful things.”