The Italians by Frances Elliot
page 86 of 453 (18%)
page 86 of 453 (18%)
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small affairs, such as disputes with your late steward at Corellia,
trials at Barga, nor litigation here at Lucca on a small scale. My dear marchesa, you have found the law an expensive pastime." The cavaliere's round eyes twinkled as he said this. "Enrica is therefore virtually portionless. The choice lies between a husband who will wed her for herself, or a convent. If I understand your views, a convent would not suit you. Besides, you would not surely voluntarily condemn a girl, without vocation, and brought up beside you, to the seclusion of a convent?" "But Enrica is a child--I tell you she is too young to think about marriage, cavaliere." The marchesa spoke with anger. She would stave off as long as possible the principal question--that of marriage. Sudden proposals, too, emanating from others, always nettled her; it narrowed her prerogative. "Besides," objected the marchesa, still fencing with the real question, "who can answer for Count Marescotti? He is so capricious! Supposing he likes Enrica to-day, he may change before to-morrow. Do you really think he can care enough about Enrica to marry her? Her name would be nothing to him." "I think he does care for her," replied Trenta, reflectively; "but that can be ascertained. Enrica is a fit consort for a far greater man than Count Marescotti. Not that he, as you say, would care about her name. Remember, she will be your heiress--that is something." "Yes, yes, my heiress," answered the marchesa, vaguely; for the |
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