He knew very
certainly that he desired that.
And was what he desired so much out of his reach? Surely all that
had happened, all that he had seen, all that he had heard at the
interview with Bianca that morning, was not calculated to lead him
to think so. And why should it be? It would be all very much
according to the ordinary current of events in such matters. He was
a bachelor. He was wealthy. He was the most prominent noble of the
city. He was brought specially into contact with the lady by his
theatrical connection and habitudes. His patronage and protection
were by far the most valuable that could be offered to her in
Ravenna. The Diva herself was--such as Divas of her sort and time
were wont to be. It would seem to be all very easy and straight-
forward. What was the worst penalty wont to follow from such
peccadilloes to persons in his position? The loss of a little
money,--of a good deal of money perhaps. But he had plenty and to
spare.
But none of these considerations availed to smooth the frown from
the Marchese's brow, or to make the future at all seem clear before
him.
In the first place to make this singer his mistress, simple and
little objectionable as such a step might seem to most men of his
country, and rank, and period, and freedom from ties, was not an
easy matter, or an agreeable prospect to the Marchese, on purely
social considerations.
Pages:
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275