The first glance at the occupants of the chamber produced a shock of
surprise, which manifested itself in so sudden a change of manner
and bearing in the two young men, that it would have been ludicrous
to any looker-on. The two hats came down from the two heads with a
spring-like suddenness and quickness; and both the young men bowed
lowly.
"Ladies," said Ludovico, addressing himself mainly to the elder, but
turning also towards the younger as he spoke, while the Conte
Leandro stared unmitigatedly at Paolina; "we come to you, sent by my
uncle the Marchese di Castelmare, and charged by him to assist you
in finding a convenient quartiere for your residence in Ravenna.
Permit me to say on my own behalf," he added, turning more entirely
towards Paolina, "that I hope it may not be a short one!"
"If the Signorina would make her stay among us as long as we would
wish it, she would never leave Ravenna any more," said the Conte
Leandro, with a glance from his sharp little eyes, and a bow of his
fat person, that were meant to be quite killing.
"It is this young lady, I conclude, who has undertaken to copy some
of our mosaics for the Englishman, who writes to my uncle, then?"
said Ludovico with a good-humoured and bright smile.
"That is it, Signor--though she is but such a slip of a thing to
look at.
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