And Paolina felt sufficiently grateful to him for the amount of
snubbing contained in his accent to say the first words she had
spoken since they entered the room. "We shall be exceedingly obliged
to you, Signore, if you will do so. Any quartiere which the Marchese
Lamberto di Castelmare could recommend to us," she added, with a
significant emphasis on the words, "would be sure to suit us."
"But perhaps the Marchese Lamberto may not know half as much about
such matters as I do, bella Signorina. People forget so many things
by the time they come to the age of the Marchese," said the Conte
Leandro, with a leering smile, which was meant to establish a
confidential understanding between him and Paolina. But the young
girl's only answer was to turn in her chair a little more away from
him towards the window.
"I think we had better leave the ladies, and see if we can find for
them what they require. I should prefer doing myself what my uncle
has entrusted to me," said Ludovico, with a frown on his brow.
"Very good--do so. You say you shall be back here in half an hour;
if these ladies will permit me I will remain with them till you come
back, and then we can all go and look at the quartiere you have
found together," said the Conte Leandro.
Poor Paolina, though perfectly determined not to acquiesce in this
arrangement, was quite at a loss what to say or do to prevent it
from being carried out.
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