Violante, despite her gravity, could not forbear smiling, as she
said in reply:
"Not at all, Signor. I do not in the least forget that before
Paolina ever came to Ravenna, you were no whit better disposed to
second the wishes of our families."
"Nay, Signorina. I declare--"
"What, again! Do let us leave all such talk. Don't you see that we
may frankly shake hands on it. Don't you see that any pain that your
indifference might have occasioned is entirely salved by the
consciousness that I have been as bad as you. We are equally rebels
against the destiny arranged for us. Let us fight the battle
together then. I think that you would act wisely in telling your
uncle at once that it is impossible you should make any other woman
your wife than her who has your entire heart and affection. I think
that this course is due to Paolina also."
"I only wished to spare my uncle, as much as possible, in breaking
to him what I know will give him pain."
"People, who will wish what they ought not to wish, must endure the
pain that the frustration of such wishes entails. It is certainly
your right to marry according to your own inclinations."
"Yes; and in truth, as far as real power goes, there is nothing to
prevent my doing so. It is truly a desire to break to my uncle, as
gently as I can, that which will certainly be a blow to him.
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