This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1913 edition. Excerpt: ...and the excellent character of Mrs. Villars. He had taken to call her " Aunt Mary," as Clara did, and this had put their intercourse on a very friendly footing. He could not help admiring the conscientiousness with which she accomplished this third pilgrimage to Rome, and he owned to himself that he did not know many Frenchwomen of her age capable of being so sincerely interested in the masterpieces of art and in historical associations. Jacques found a way, too, of getting on with Clara. In reality, she was still hostile, but she was rather awed by him, and did not dare indulge in her impertinences with him. He delighted in teasing, and even exasperating her, and then he would calm her by some charming little speech, calling her his "beautiful cousin," or he would hold her in check by a certain expression that he would put on which always took effect, the expression on the face of the Van Dyck picture at Versailles. Jacques liked George Ottis and even rather admired him. It made him indignant to see the poor fellow subjected to Clara"s petty, feminine tyranny, and he said to himself that he hoped Annie would never take it into her head to try treating him as an American. One evening, on returning home from her mother"s, his wife said to him, in a very natural way: "Jacques, we are going to Frascati to-morrow." This way of arranging for him gave the Marquis rather a shock. "Who are tcef" he asked, raising his eyebrows. "The Walters, Mother, Clara, George, and you and I." "Before arranging for me, my dear girl, you should have asked me whether I had any other plan. It happens that I had decided to go to the Villa Madame. It appears that when the atmosphere is clear, the sea is visible from...