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 Pauline's first impulse had been to hold out her hand, but she had immediately withdrawn it.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." 
Throughout what region?
names were famous throughout Europe.