has been open--with a niggard hand."

"/Un peu de conscience, ma chere/,--you are so extravagant. But come, be
plain. What would you?"

"I would be free from you."

"That is, you would form some second marriage with one of these rich
island lords. /Ma foi/, I respect your ambition."

"It is not so high. I aim but to escape from slavery,--to be placed
beyond dishonourable temptation. I desire," cried Beatrice, with
increased emotion,--"I desire to re-enter the life of woman."

"Eno'!" said the count, with a visible impatience; "is there anything in
the attainment of your object that should render you indifferent to mine?
You desire to marry, if I comprehend you right. And to marry as becomes
you, you should bring to your husband not debts, but a dowry. Be it so.
I will restore the portion that I saved from the spendthrift clutch of
the Genoese,--the moment that it is mine to bestow, the moment that I am
husband to my kinsman's heiress. And now, Beatrice, you imply that my
former notions revolted your conscience; my present plan should content
it, for by this marriage shall our kinsman regain his country, and
repossess, at least, half his lands. And if I am not an excellent
husband to the demoiselle, it will be her own fault. I have sown my wild
oats. /Je suis bon prince/, when I have things a little my own way. It
is my hope and my intention, and certainly it will be my interest, to
become /digne epoux et irreprochable pere de famille/. I speak lightly,
--'t is my way. I mean seriously. The little girl will be very happy
with me, and I shall succeed in soothing all resentment her father may