"And if we are beautiful it is because we are happy." "Yes, yes, happy," Celia gently responded.

"Do you remember the evening when you told me that one didn't succeed in marrying the Pope and the King?
But Attilio and I are marrying them, and yet we are very happy." "But we don't marry them, Dario and I! On the contrary!" said Benedetta gaily.

"No matter; as you answered me that same evening, it is sufficient that we should love one another, love saves the world." When Pierre at last succeeded in reaching the door of the Hall of the Antiques, where the buffet was installed, he found Prada there, motionless, gazing despite himself on the galling spectacle which he desired to flee.

A power stronger than his will had kept him there, forcing him to turn round and look, and look again.

And thus, with a bleeding heart, he still lingered and witnessed the resumption of the dancing, the first figure of a quadrille which the orchestra began to play with a lively flourish of its brass instruments.