It is a wonder anybody should
doubt it. And a like enough end for such a baggage to come to," said
Signora Orsola, with much bitterness.
"You do not seem to have been among the admirers of the Signora
Bianca," said the lawyer, with a furtively shrewd look at the old
woman.
"Admirers, indeed! She had too many admirers, I am thinking. A good-
for-nothing, impudent, brazen--well, she has gone to her account, so
I won't be the one to speak ill of her."
"You seem to have had considerable opportunities of becoming
acquainted with her character, Signora Orsola. Had you much
acquaintance with her?"
"I never saw her but once in my life, and that was at the theatre on
the last Sunday night of Carnival. The Marchese had given us a box."
"And it was upon that occasion then, that she impressed you so
unfavourably. The Signorina Paolina I suppose was with you at the
theatre?"
"Of course she was. Would it be likely, I ask you, Signor Dottore,
that the Marchese took the box for me?"
"And no doubt the Signorina Foscarelli was impressed by the actress
in the same manner that you yourself were."
"Of course she was, as any other decent young woman would have been;
let alone being, as Paolina is, engaged to be married to the
Marchese."
"I have no doubt, Signora, that your remarks are perfectly just.
Pages:
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585