It was a friendship strongly approved by the
Marchese Lamberto, as might have been perceived by his selection of
Manutoli to accompany him on the occasion of meeting La Lalli on her
first arrival in Ravenna, as the reader may possibly remember. And
the special ground of this approval was Manutoli's strong advocacy
of the projected marriage between Ludovico and the Contessa
Violante, and his consequent disapproval and discouragement of his
friend's friendship and admiration for Paolina. He was not a man who
would have counselled or desired his friend to behave badly or
unworthily to Paolina or to any woman; for he was a man of honour
and a gentleman. But, short of any conduct which could be so
characterized, he would have been very glad to see the Marchese quit
of an entanglement which alone stood in the way, as he conceived, of
his forming an alliance so desirable in every point of view as the
marriage with the great-niece of the Cardinal Legate.
"Can I be permitted to see the Marchese Ludovico, Signor
Commissario? He has requested me to come to him," said the Baron, on
arriving at the police-office.
"Certainly, Signor Barone. I myself sent his note to you. Though, on
his own statement of the very unfortunate circumstances connected
with this unhappy affair, I was compelled to detain him, still there
is at present no definite accusation against him which should
justify me in preventing him from having free communication with his
friends.
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