But Paolina
strongly objected to this mode of proceeding; and urged her friend
to take upon herself the duty of waiting on the Marchese. Orsola
contested the point as strongly as she could. But as it was very
rarely that Paolina had ever opposed her in any thing, she was the
less prepared to resist opposition on the present occasion. And as
Paolina was in this matter obstinate, old Orsola yielded; and set
forth by herself to walk to the Palazzo Castelmare. Nobody had ever
any difficulty in obtaining access to the popular Marchese; and the
Signora Orsola Steno was at once ushered into his library,--
presented her letter, and was received with all courtesy and
kindness.
To receive recommendations of all sorts, to be asked to render all
kinds of services, was nothing new or uncommon to the Marchese. He
ran over the Englishman's letter rapidly.
"Va bene! va bene! At your service, Signora! I shall be most happy
to give you all the assistance in my power. I remember very well
that Signor Vilobe (Willoughby was the Englishman's name) was
desirous of procuring copies of some of our mosaics. I am very happy
he has found so competent a person to execute them."
Signora Orsola made a feeble attempt to point out that she was not
herself the artist who was to make the copies in question; but what
with her awe of the grand seigneur to whom she was speaking, and
what with the strangeness of her Venetian tones to her hearer's ear,
and what with the Marchese's hurry, her explanation failed to reach
his comprehension.
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