"Oh, I went into the chapel in the morning, as I very often do, to
recite the litany of the Virgin, and if she had remained on her
scaffolding I should probably not have noticed her. But she ran down
in the most obliging manner, fearing that she might disturb me, and
offering to suspend her work, as long as I should remain at my
devotions. It was so pretty of her, and so prettily said!"
"And then you answered her as prettily, I suppose, Signora?"
"Nay, it is not in my power to do that," said Violante, with a touch
of bitterness; "but I told her, that she did not disturb me in the
least; and I spoke to her of the work she was engaged on; and she
asked me to come up and look at it; and so we talked on till we
became very good friends."
"And then you were kind enough to converse with her on several
subsequent occasions?"
"Oh, yes, we had several long talks; and I liked her so much. I am
sure she is thoroughly good. I rejoice with all my heart that a
destiny, so much more brilliant than anything that could have been
expected for her, is likely to be hers."
"I wish, Signora Contessa, that it was more than likely to be hers;
I wish that our path lay clearer before us!" said Ludovico, with a
sigh.
"Including me in the `us'? I wish it were with all my heart. But
remember, Signor Marchese, how much is possible to a man, and how
little to a woman.
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