It was all for love,
and the world well lost. For not for an instant did the Marchese
blind himself to the fact that his world must be lost by such a
marriage as he was contemplating. But what did he care for all that
had been hitherto to him as the breath of his nostrils? He now felt,
for the first time, what of joy and real happiness life had in truth
to offer. He would go away,--far away with his Bianca and live only
for her, and for the delights of her love! Fool that he had been to
hesitate. And blessed a thousand times was her sweet, her dear
insistence, that had led him to better things!
Such was the state of the mind of the Marchese, while he held his
Diva in his arms; and it lasted in full force, almost till he had
left the door of her house behind him as he hastened to the palazzo
to discharge the Corso duty, which was one of the most prominent
functions of his present social position.
And then it seemed as if suddenly,--with a suddenness equal to that
of a tropical sunset,--the scales had fallen from his eyes, and he
was another man.
Great God! What had he done? Had he been smitten with sudden
madness? What--what was the fatal power this fearful woman had over
him? Were then the old witchcraft and philtre tales really true?
Surely he must be the victim of some spell, some horrible
enchantment.
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