CHAPTER XI 

A BUSY EVENING 

The conversazione was, in its way, a brilliant gathering. There were present scientists, men of letters, artists, with a very fair sprinkling of society people, always anxious to absorb any new sensation. One saw there amongst the white-haired men, passing backwards and forwards, or talking together in little knots, professors whose names were famous throughout Europe. 

A very great man indeed brought Saton up to Pauline with a little word of explanation. 

"I am sure," he said to her--she was one of his oldest friends--"that you will be glad to meet the gentleman whose brilliant paper has interested us all so much. This is Lady Marrabel, Saton, whose father was professor at Oxford before your day." 

The great man passed on. Pauline's first impulse had been to hold out her hand, but she had immediately withdrawn it. Saton contented himself with a grave bow. 

"I am afraid, Lady Marrabel," he said, "that you are prejudiced against me." 

"I think not," she answered. "Naturally, seeing you so suddenly brought into my mind the terrible occurrence of only a few days ago." 

"An occurrence," he declared, "which no one could regret so greatly as myself. But apart from that, Lady Marrabel, I am afraid that you are not prepared to do me justice. You look at me through Rochester's eyes, and I am quite sure that all his days Rochester will believe that I am more or less of a charlatan." 

"Your paper was very wonderful, Mr. Saton," she said slowly. "I am convinced that Mr. Rochester would have admitted that himself if he had been here."  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. What sort of folk were present at the conversazione?
2. What were the people like at the conversazione?
3. 
Q2:
1. Did anyone besides scientists and men of letters attend the conversazione?
2. Did the conversazione include people other than scientists and men of letters?
3. 
Q3:
1. What sort of folk were present at the conversazione, besides scientists and men of letters?
2. What were the people like at the conversazione other than scientists and men of letters?
3. 
Q4:
1. What did Pauline retract from Santon?
2. What did Pauline take out of Santon's grasp?
3. 
Q5:
1. What did Pauline do instead of extending her hand?
2. What did Pauline do in lieu of giving out her hand?
3. 
Q6:
1. Who would have praised Saton's paper had he been present?
2. Who, if he were at the conversazione, would have had nice things to say about Saton's paper?
3. 
Q7:
1. Did well known professors attend the conversazione?
2. Did the conversazione feature celebrated professors?
3. 
Q8:
1. Where were the professors well known?
2. In what region were the professors famous?
3. 
Q9:
1. How did Pauline feel towards Saton?
2. What were Pauline's emotions towards Saton?
3. 
Q10:
1. What did Saton figure Mr. Rochester's opinion of him would be?
2. What did Saton assume Mr. Rochester felt about him?
3. 
