She pronounced some confused words.
They heard some one in the ante-room.

Noemi bowed, and Benedetto doing the same, the interview came to an end, without any further leave taking.
The Duchess also was anxious to speak with Benedetto.

She brought her companions, both male and female, with her.

No longer young, but still frivolous, half superstitious, half sceptical, egotistical but not heartless, she was devoted to the consumptive daughter of her old coachman, Having heard of the Saint of Jenne and his miracles, she had arranged this excursion, partly for amusement, partly to satisfy her curiosity, and she wished to ascertain if it would be wiser to have the Saint come to Rome, or to send the girl to him.

At the house of a cardinal, her cousin, she had become acquainted with one of the priests now staying at Jenne, This man, having met her, had given her his own opinion of the Saint, announcing the downfall of his reputation.