I take you
thus in my arms, my Paolina; for the first time as your promised
husband. Good-night--good-night--my own! I trust I may be able to
think of what I am doing at the Palazzo tonight. Good-night, my
own!"
And thus the Marchese Ludovico returned that evening to the Palazzo
Castelmare, about an hour after Signor Ercole Stadione had quitted
it; pledged to find some means of breaking off the match with the
Contessa Violante Marliani, to which all Ravenna was looking
forward, and engaged to be married to the little obscure Venetian
orphan artist.
CHAPTER IX
Uncle and Nephew
Ludovico di Castelmare did not see his uncle that evening. He
returned to the Palazzo, thoughtful enough, direct from the house in
the Strada di Santa Eufemia, and there learned that the Impresario
had been with the Marchese; that he had brought the good news of his
success in having engaged "La Lalli" to sing at Ravenna during the
coming Carnival; and that he, Ludovico, had been sent for by his
uncle from the Circolo. What for, the servant could not tell him. He
could only say that the Marchese had seemed much put out at the
Signor Marchese Ludovico's absence, and that he had shortly
afterwards gone out to pass the remainder of the evening at the
palace of the Cardinal Legate.
Ludovico was by no means so anxious to see his uncle as to wait to
do so till he should return at night.
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