He performed the introductions.
“I have heard about you, Mr. Ho,” she said graciously. “You’re a great mathematician.”
Godfrey wondered at her royal memory. Quong Ho, bare-headed, said:
“I but follow painfully in the footsteps of my illustrious master.”
She laughed. “You must let Mr. Godfrey bring you round to see me one of these days.”
“Madam,” replied Quong Ho, with a low bow. “As the Italians say, it will be a thousand years until I have the honour to avail myself of so precious a privilege.”
“We must fix something up soon, then—one day next week.”
She shook hands with Marcelle, nodded to the others, and went away wreathed in smiles. Quong Ho followed her with his eyes; then to Godfrey:
“I have never seen a more beauteous and worshipful lady. One might say she was one of the goddesses so vividly described by Publius Virgilius Maro.”
“Your taste seems to be impeccable, sir,” replied Godfrey.