Sweeter hours of study Victor never had. Seeing the rise and fall of his interpreter's bosom and catching the faint perfume of her hair, he heard but vaguely some of the sentences, and had to have them repeated, what time her eyes were looking straight into his. At such moment she reminded him of the dream-face that had bloomed like a rose in the black night, for she was then very grave. Less ardent of blood than he, she succeeded in giving her whole mind to the great Italian's thesis, and the point of view--so new and so bold--stirred her like a trumpet.
"I like this man," she said. "He is not afraid."
Once or twice Mrs. Joyce looked out at them, but they made such a pretty picture she had not the heart to disturb them.
At seven o'clock she was forced to interrupt: "What _are_ you children up to?"
"Improving our minds," answered Leo. "Are we starting back? What time is it?"
Mrs. Joyce smiled. "That question is a great compliment to your company. It's dinner-time."
"Fine!" shouted Victor. "I was wondering how I could put in the evening."
"It's time to dress," warned Mrs. Joyce. "This is no happy-go-easy establishment. I never saw such perfection of service as Alexander always has. I can't get it, or if I get it I can't keep it; while here, with the master gone half the time, the wheels go like a chronometer."
"It's all due to Marie. She worshiped Mrs. Bartol, and she venerates Mr. Bartol."
Mrs. Joyce cut her short. "Skurry to your room. We must not be late."
As they were going into the house together, Leo said: "I think we would better not let our elders read this book of Morselli's. It's too disturbing for them--don't you think so?"
"It certainly is a twister. However, mother doesn't read any foreign language, so she's safe."
Upon rising from the dinner table the young people returned to their books, and at ten o'clock Leo lifted her eyes from her page. "Did some one drive up?"
Victor looked at her dazedly. "I didn't hear anybody. Proceed."
"Mercy! It's ten o'clock. Where are Aunt Louise and your mother? I hear Mr. Bartol's voice!" she exclaimed, rising hastily. "Let's go get the latest news."
The master of the house entered before the young people could shake off the spell of what they had been imagining.