And then, worst of all, it gradually became evident to the
Marchesa's mind that there was a more or less direct connection in
the way of cause and effect between her niece's religious notions
and feelings and the strange readiness she had shown to find
objections to both of the two persons who had been judged by her
family to be admissible suitors for her hand. The Marchesa began to
entertain a strong apprehension that her niece had conceived the
idea of "entering into religion;" i.e. of becoming a nun.
It had been necessary at the time of Violante's first coming to live
with her aunt, to select a governess for her; and a lady had been
found fitted to teach her all that it was proper for a noble young
Italian lady to know. But when she became seventeen it was judged
expedient to change this lady for another. A different sort of
person was required. Custom and the habits of life and convenience
of the Marchesa made it expedient that a duenna should be provided
to attend on the young Contessa; but she was supposed no longer to
need an instructress.
The person selected for this trust was not perhaps altogether such
as might have been desired. By some fatality, arising probably from
some latent incompatibility between the institution itself and the
eternal order of things, it would seem as if the persons entrusted
with that responsible situation rarely did turn out to be exactly
the right people in the right place.
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