,andtheessofthemooeredintothem.Alonglineofboyscarryingcratesofstripedtulips,andofyellowandredroses,defiledinfrontofhim,threadingtheirwaythroughthehuge,jade-greenpilesofvegetables.Uheportico,withitsgrey,sun-bleachedpillars,loiteredatroopledbareheadedgirls,waitingfortheautobeover.Otherscrowdedroundtheswingingdoorsofthecoffee-houseinthepiazza.Theheavycart-horsesslippedandstampedupontheroughstones,shakingtheirbellsandtrappings.Someofthedriverswerelyingasleeponapileofsacks.Iris-neckedandpink-footed,thepigeonsranaboutpigupseeds.

    Afteralittlewhile,hehailedahansomanddrovehome.Forafewmomeereduponthedoorstep,lookingroundatthesilentsquare,withitsblank,close-shutteredwindowsanditsstaringblinds.Theskyureopalnow,andtheroofsofthehousesglistenedlikesilveragainstit.Fromsomeeyoppositeathihofsmokewasrising.Itcurled,avioletriband,throughthenacre-colouredair.

    InthehugegiltVeianlantern,spoilofsomeDogesbarge,thathungfromtheceilingofthegreat,oak-panelledhallofentrance,lightswerestillburningfromthreeflickerihialsofflametheyseemed,rimmedwithwhitefire.Heturhemoutand,havingthrownhishatandcapeoable,passedthroughthelibrarytowardsthedoorofhisbedroom,alargeoctagonalchamberonthegroundfloorthat,inhisnew-bornfeelingforluxury,hehadjusthaddecoratedforhimselfandhungwithsomecuriousRenaissaapestriesthathadbeendiscoveredstoredinadisusedatticatSelbyRoyal.Ashewasturningthehahedoor,hiseyefelluporaitBasilHallwardhadpaintedofhim.Hestartedbackasifinsurprise.Theonintohisownroom,lookingsomeuzzled.Afterhehadtak