As the lower part of the face was partly hidden by a dense but
closely-cropped beard, it is probable that the delicate outlines of his
lips had gained something from their framing.
He slept, through what seemed to be the unnatural stillness of the large
house,--a quiet that might have come from the lingering influence of
the still virgin solitude around it, as if Nature had forgotten the
intrusion, or were stealthily retaking her own; and later, through the
rattle of returning wheels or the sound of voices, which were, however,
promptly absorbed in that deep and masterful silence which was the
unabdicating genius of the canyon. For it was remarkable that even
the various artists, musicians, orators, and poets whom Maecenas had
gathered in his cool business fashion under that roof, all seemed to
become, by contrast with surrounding Nature, as new and artificial as
the house, and as powerless to assert themselves against its influence.
He was still sleeping when James re-entered the room, but awoke promptly
at the sound of his voice.
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