"Good evening, Eminence," he said.
"Good evening, Prince," returned the Cardinal, who recognised Saracinesca's voice without looking up. "Have you ever seen this marvellous piece of work? I have been admiring it for a quarter of an hour." He loved all objects of the kind, and understood them with rare knowledge.
"It is indeed exceedingly beautiful," answered Saracinesca, who longed to take advantage of the opportunity of speaking to Cardinal Antonelli upon the subject nearest to his heart.
"Yes—yes," returned the Cardinal rather vaguely, and made as though he would go on. He saw from Saracinesca's commonplace praise, that he knew nothing of the subject. The old Prince saw his opportunity slipping from him, and lost his head. He did not recollect that he could see the Cardinal alone whenever he pleased, by merely asking for an interview. Fate had thrust the Cardinal in his path, and fate was responsible.
"If your Eminence will allow me, I would like a word with you," he said suddenly.
"As many as you please," answered the statesman, blandly. "Let us sit down in that corner—no one will disturb us for a while."
He seemed unusually affable, as he sat himself down by Saracinesca's side, gathering the skirt of his scarlet mantle across his knee, and folding his delicate hands together in an attitude of restful attention.
"You know, I daresay, a certain Del Ferice, Eminence?" began the Prince.
"Very well—the deus ex machinâ who has appeared to carry off Donna
Tullia Mayer. Yes, I know him."
"Precisely, and they will match very well together; the world cannot help applauding the union of the flesh and the devil."