Believe me that I have ventured to speak as I
have spoken, solely from interest in the welfare of one who has been
so uniformly good and kind to me as you have. Will you believe me,
Signor Ludovico, that I would do a good deal and bear a good deal to
be able to conduce to your happiness in any way?"
She put out her hand to him, as she spoke the last words, with her
eyes dropped to the ground, and with a feeling of genuine shyness,
that was quite surprising and puzzling to herself.
"Dear Signora, I will and do believe it with all my heart; and, in
truth, I am deeply grateful to you for your good will," said
Ludovico, really touched by the evident and genuine sincerity of her
words.
"And now, I must ask you to leave me. I must dress myself and lose
no time about it. The Marchese will be here in a minute or two. And
I could not, you know, venture to receive him in the unceremonious
manner which you have been good enough to excuse."
She gave him a little sidelong look with half a laugh in her eyes,
as she said the latter words; and Ludovico, putting the tips of her
fingers to his lips before relinquishing her hand, bowed, and left
her without saying anything further.
CHAPTER VI
Paolina at Home
Ludovico had run up in a hurry to Bianca's lodging, as has been
seen, merely because it happened to be in his way, and because he
had been desirous, as he told her, of paying her his compliments on
the success of the preceding evening.
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