Moods began in which he seemed to forget Amanda altogether.
This happened first in the Certosa di Pavia whither they had gone
one afternoon from Milan. That was quite soon after they were
married. They had a bumping journey thither in a motor-car, a
little doubtful if the excursion was worth while, and they found a
great amazement in the lavish beauty and decorative wealth of that
vast church and its associated cloisters, set far away from any
population as it seemed in a flat wilderness of reedy ditches and
patchy cultivation. The distilleries and outbuildings were
deserted--their white walls were covered by one monstrously great
and old wisteria in flower--the soaring marvellous church was in
possession of a knot of unattractive guides. One of these conducted
them through the painted treasures of the gold and marble chapels;
he was an elderly but animated person who evidently found Amanda
more wonderful than any church. He poured out great accumulations
of information and compliments before her. Benham dropped behind,
went astray and was presently recovered dreaming in the great
cloister.
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