You know how
Paterini stands at Rome, and that a hint from him is as good as a
volume from another; and just think of the possibilities that such a
contingency might open before you! I won't say any more; but do now
during this Carnival, show yourself a little more at the palace, and
pay a little attention, and let the world see that you occupy the
place with regard to the Contessa Violante, that you really do
occupy. Basta!"
"I will do the best I can, sir, to merit your approbation," said
Ludovico, feeling that he was expected to say something, and not
well knowing how to do it.
"And now about the matter I wanted to speak of last night. La Lalli
comes to us, you see, for the Carnival: it is a great triumph for
Ravenna. She is certainly the first singer in Italy, since England
with its brute power of money, robbed us of poor Sparderini. But
between you and me, figliuolo mio, we should never have got her, if
there had not been certain difficulties--certain scandals,--che so
io?--at Milan. All that is no business of ours, you know, tutt'
altro! But there has been talk;--stories have got about!--mere
calumny probably, as Signor Ercole very justly remarked,--but it is
very desirable that such things should not be the talk of the town
here. It is mauvais genre to chatter about such matters. You can
make it mauvais genre among the youngsters at Ravenna, if you
choose.
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