Paolina remained silent a minute or two, again dropping her clear
honest eyes to the ground. Then raising them again, she said in an
almost whispered voice, but looking straight at her companion,
"No, Signorina, I do not expect that; for he has promised to marry
me."
"Ah--h! it is a relief to hear you say so. My dear Paolina, I am so
glad," said the elder girl, putting a hand on each of Paolina's
shoulders, and kissing her on the forehead--"I am so glad; much for
your own sake, somewhat, too, for his, and much for my own sake.
For, Paolina, I could not marry Ludovico. If he asked me to do so,
it would be only done in obedience to the will of his uncle. He does
not--no, 'tis no fault of yours, my child--never has loved me."
"Signora, when first I--allowed him to teach me to love him, I knew
nothing of any duty that he owed elsewhere. And when I did know it I
determined, even if it should break my heart, to refuse any such
love as should have been stolen from a wife," said Paolina.
"That was the part of a good and honest girl. And for me, I have to
thank you for it. Paolina, I hope you may be happy. We shall often
meet here, shall we not?"
"Not often here, Signora. My task here is not a long one; and I hope
by the end of Carnival to have finished it, so that I may go to St.
Apollinare, outside the town, where I have to make several copies.
Pages:
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330