She spoke half jestingly. For a moment he did not reply. Then he said to the priest:
“You have lived long in Africa, Father. Have not you something of the same feeling towards these children of the sun?”
“Yes, and I have noticed it in our dead Cardinal.”
“Cardinal Lavigerie.”
Androvsky bent over his plate. He seemed suddenly to withdraw his mind forcibly from this conversation in which he was taking no active part, as if he refused even to listen to it.
“He is your hero, I know,” the Count said sympathetically.
“He did a great deal for me.”
“And for Africa. And he was wise.”
“You mean in some special way?” Domini said.
“Yes. He looked deep enough into the dark souls of the desert men to find out that his success with them must come chiefly through his goodness to their dark bodies. You aren’t shocked, Father?”