“I have the permit which I promised you, to see the Palazzo Rospigliosi and Guido Reni’s Aurora” he said, speaking in German.
“Is the prince back then?”
“No, the prince is in Paris. The palace is not open to visitors, except yourselves.”
This was said with a gallant bow.
The German ladies exclaimed how kind he was, how he was able to do anything, to find a way out of every difficulty. They had taken endless trouble to bribe the Rospigliosi porter and they had not succeeded.
A little thin Englishwoman had taken her seat beside Cornélie.
“And for you, Miss Taylor, I have a card for a low mass in His Holiness’ private chapel.”
Miss Taylor was radiant with delight.
“Have you been sight-seeing again?” the pock-marked gentleman continued.
“Yes, Museo Kircheriano,” said Miss Taylor. “But I am tired out. It was most exquisite.”