Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 1 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/373

 "Why, Roderick knows her!" cried Mrs. Hudson in an awestruck whisper. "I supposed she was some great princess."

"She is—almost!" said Rowland. "She's the most beautiful girl in Europe, and Roderick has modelled her."

Modelled'—? Dear, dear!" murmured Mrs. Hudson, as if aghast at some vision of a new freedom. "What a very strange bonnet!"

"She has very strange eyes," said Mary, turning away.

The two ladies, with Rowland, took their way toward the door of the church. On their way they passed Mrs. Light and the Cavaliere, and Rowland informed his companions of the relation in which these personages stood to Roderick's young lady.

"Think of it, Mary!" said Mrs. Hudson. "What splendid people he must know! No wonder he found Northampton rather mild."

"I like the wise little old gentleman," said Mary.

"Why do you call him wise?" Rowland asked, struck with the observation.

"Because I think I 'm learning what wisdom is."

As they approached their egress they were over taken by Roderick, whose interview with Miss Light had left in his face a traceable afterglow. "So you 're acquainted with princesses?" said his mother, softly, as they passed into the portico.

"Miss Light isn't a princess!" he rather dryly returned.

"But Mr. Mallet says so," urged Mrs. Hudson, disappointed. 339