However, not having had time to see any members of the Boccanera family on his return from Frascati he feared that the news might be false and said so.

Thereupon the prelate gave his word of honour that things were as he stated.

"The news is certain," he declared.

"I had it from a member of the Congregation." And then, all at once, he apologised and hurried off: "Excuse me but I see a lady whom I had not yet caught sight of, and desire to pay my respects to her." He at once hastened to the lady in question, and, being unable to sit down, inclined his lofty figure as if to envelop her with his gallant courtesy; whilst she, young, fresh, and bare-shouldered, laughed with a pearly laugh as his cape of violet silk lightly brushed her sheeny skin.
"You know that person, don't you ?" Narcisse inquired of Pierre.

"No! Really?
Why, that is Count Prada's _inamorata_, the charming Lisbeth Kauffmann, by whom he has just had a son.