He had purposed
endeavouring to induce her to accede to such proposals as he could
make to her by the exhibition of the most unstinting generosity. And
he had determined,--fully, finally, and irrevocably determined, that
if all that be could say to her on these points should fail to
persuade her to accede to such an arrangement, as he had it in his
power to propose to her, he would that day, and from that hour, give
her up, and swear to himself never to let the image of her cross his
memory again.
The visit had been long, and occasionally even somewhat tempestuous.
The Marchese had been eloquent; and now driven to bay, had been
unequivocal enough in his declarations, his determinations, and his
promises. The Diva had shown herself a Diva at every point. She had
wept, she had smiled, she had been scornful, she had been suppliant,
she had been repellent, she had been loving! And in every mood she
had seemed to the fascinated eyes of the Marchese more lovely than
in that which preceded it. Finally, she had conquered. Instead of
coming away from her, never to see her again, he came away leaving
her with the offer of his hand.
And there had been a moment of supreme triumph and ecstasy when
permitted, for the first time, to take her in his arms, and press
that lovely bosom to his own, and glue his own to those heavenly
lips; it had seemed to him as if the prize that was his was worth a
thousand times all that he was paying for it.
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