Now, figliuolo mio, it
is my duty to tell you that that sort of thing won't do--just at
present. I don't want, as I said, to play the inquisitor, nor do I
wish to play the preacher. When you are married you must guide your
own conduct as you may think fit; but now every consideration of
propriety and prudence should teach you that you must not continue
to run after that young person in the sight of all the town in the
way you do. Here you are on the point of contracting a marriage,
which--"
"On the point, uncle? We are surely a long way from that yet?" said
Ludovico.
"A long way! I don't know what you mean by a long way; if we are not
further advanced, it is your own fault. We might bring the
negotiation to a conclusion at once. It might all be settled this
Carnival.
"This Carnival, uncle? Impossible! I must have a little time. There
are so many things to be thought of."
"What is there to be thought of, that has not been thought of
already? They are in no hurry; they look upon the matter as
arranged. But in decency, we cannot show any backwardness; it does
not look well.
"Well, uncle: at all events, let this Carnival pass over. Let me
have this last Carnival; then Lent is of no use: after that we will
see about it."
"Well, be it so. But, my dear boy, you know all the importance of
this marriage! You know how desirable it is in every point of view;
family, rank, station, influence, money,--though that happily we
have no need to seek; why, it was only last week,--this is a secret,
and must go no further, but I know I can trust to your discretion;--
only last week, that I got a letter from my old friend, Monsignore
Paterini at Rome, in which he speaks in almost open terms of the
chance, and even probability, that our Cardinal might--ahem!--find
the next conclave a particularly interesting one.
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