"Ladies have never been admitted to that vault," he replied. "In that respect it resembles the Baptist's Chapel in the Genoese Cathedral."
"But that chapel is open to ladies on one day in the year," replied Lorelie. "Therefore, your parallel will not hold."
"Are you really serious in making this suggestion?" asked the earl.
"Perfectly."
"What is your reason?"
Lorelie shrugged her shoulders.
"You don't require reason from a woman," she replied. "It would be hard for me to give my reason. Curiosity, mainly: the desire of seeing what no other woman has seen, or ever will see."
"The initiated have to swear an oath to keep the secret," said Ivar.
"That gives quite a romantic charm to the adventure," Lorelie replied.
The earl sat silent for a moment as if weighing the matter, and then cast at his son a look which seemed to convey a silent suggestion, a suggestion that appeared to meet with tacit acceptance from the other.