Fare was devouring Selva with his eyes, Selva, the author of
critical essays on the Old and New Testament, and especially of a
book on the basis of future Catholic theology, which had elevated
and transfigured his faith. Baron Leyni was telling his story. At the
station of Mandela it had been very windy, and Professor Dane greatly
feared he had taken cold; suspecting that there would be no cognac in
the house of such an alcohol hater as Selva, and, moreover, the hour
having arrived at which it was his daily custom to take two eggs, he
had stopped at the Albergo dell' Aniene for the eggs and cognac. On the
terrace of the restaurant, which faced the river, there was too much
air, and in the small adjacent rooms there was too little, so he had
ordered his repast served in a room at the hotel, and had sent the eggs
back twice. Then the others had walked on, leaving him in the company of
Professor Minucci and Father Salvati.

As Professor Dane, who was so delicate and sensitive to the cold, was
not of the party, Giovanni proposed having supper on the terrace. He at
once abandoned the idea, however, on perceiving that it did not suit the
Abbe from Geneva. The elegant, worldly Marinier took as great care of
his own person as did his friend Dane, but with more dissimulation and
without the excuse of ill-health. He had not, stayed to supper at the
Aniene with his friend, because, on a previous visit to Subiaco, he had
found the cuisine of that hotel too simple to suit his taste, and he had
hopes of a French supper from Signora Selva. Baron Leyni knew well how
fallacious such hopes were; but in a spirit of mischief he refrained
from enlightening him. There was barely: room for the five people in the
tiny dining-room. It was fortunate the other two had not come. In fact,
neither the Abbe Marinier nor Don Fare was expected, but others who
had been expected were absent. A monk and a priest, men of repute
from northern Italy, who should have been present, had both written to
apologise for their absence, to the lively regret of Selva, of Fare,
and of Leyni. Marinier, on the other hand, proffered his apologies for
having intruded. Dane was responsible for his presence, as Leyni was for
the presence of Don Paolo Fare. Selva protested. Friends of his friends
were, of course, always welcome. Leyni and Dane both knew they were free
to bring any one in whom they had confidence, any one who shared their
views. Maria was silent; she was not gr