But the niece of the Cardinal
Legate! Bah! Did she imagine that she would lack suitors? She had
nothing to do but to make the most of the advantages in her hand,
and she would see herself surrounded by all the beaux, while the
prettiest girls in the room might go whistle for the smallest scrap
of attention, And then, when married, with rank, station, wealth at
her command, what would it signify?
And in urging all these considerations, the Signora Assunta Fagiani
spoke at least sincerely, and expended for the benefit of her pupil
the best wisdom that was in her.
Partly, however, she was working for her own purposes, as well as
for the advantage, as she understood it, of her charge. Of course,
as she judiciously considered, her position gave her, in a great
degree, the valuable patronage of the disposal of the Lady
Violante's hand in marriage. And, of course, this advantage of her
position was equally well understood by others; and among these by a
certain Duca di San Sisto, a Bolognese noble, whose sadly-
dilapidated fortunes much needed the aid that might be derived from
the coffers of the wealthy Cardinal Legate. The Duca di San Sisto
had interests at Rome also, which might be most importantly served
by the influence of the Cardinal Marliani. So that a marriage with
the Lady Violante seemed to be exactly the very thing for him.
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