He knew perfectly well that the
grand object of his questioner was to be the first to carry the
great news to the Circolo--the club where all the young nobles of
the town were in the habit of congregating; and to make the most of
the sort of reputation to be gained by being the first in Ravenna to
have accurate information on the matter in question. He knew also
that within a quarter-of-an-hour after the news should be told to
Signor Leandro Lombardoni it would be known to all Ravenna. Further,
he was perfectly aware that, frozen or not frozen, he must wait that
evening on the Marchese, of whom Signor Leandro had spoken--the
Marchese Lamberto di Castelmare, in order to communicate to him the
news which Signor Leandro was so anxious to hear; that not to do so
would be as much as his standing and position in Ravenna were worth.
And he would have preferred that the Marchese should not have heard
what he had to tell before telling it to him himself; which he
thought likely enough to happen, if he let the cat out of the bag to
Signor Leandro. But the offer of the punch was irresistible. The
poor little impresario knew how little possibility there was of
finding any such pleasant stimulant in the cold, cheerless, wifeless
little quartiere which he and Marta called their home. His teeth
were chattering with cold; and the hot punch carried the day.
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