But what frightful things have happened since we met! I only returned this afternoon, so that I could not attend the funeral.

However, you may well imagine how thunderstruck I was by the news of those frightful deaths." Then, suspecting some unacknowledged tragedy, like a man well acquainted with the legendary dark side of Rome, he put some questions to Pierre but did not insist on them, being at bottom far too prudent to burden himself uselessly with redoubtable secrets.

And after Pierre had given him such particulars as he thought fit, the conversation changed and they spoke at length of Italy, Rome, Naples, and Florence.

"Ah! Florence, Florence!" Narcisse repeated languorously.

He had lighted a cigarette and his words fell more slowly, as he glanced round the room.