He had
never had much cause to be dissatisfied with his nephew's conduct,
or with his behaviour towards himself: but some years before the
present time, he had been made aware that the Marchese Ludovico was
one of those whom it is easier to lead than to drive; and that any
attempt at a little too much driving would be likely to lead to
kicking, and perhaps to an entire breaking of reins and traces.
And, being a man of sense, he had acted on the hints thus given him
with considerable success. The Marchese Ludovico had submitted on
most occasions to be led with all desirable docility. But now, in
this matter, wherein judicious leading was more than ever before in
his life necessary to him, he seemed to decline to be led at all.
How could the perplexed Marchese do otherwise than frown when he was
told that his nephew was not at the Circolo at that hour of the
evening, knowing very well where such absence showed him to be? Yet
he probably would have done, or attempted to do, some thing else,--
or, at all events, the frown would have been a yet heavier and
blacker one,--could he not only have guessed where his nephew was at
that moment, but have also heard what was passing in the little
salottino of the Strada di S. Eufemia.
Some account of the conversation there may perhaps serve the purpose
of saving all necessity for a detailed account of the intercourse
which had taken place between Ludovico and Paolina during the last
eight months.
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