Any quartiere which the Marchese Lamberto di Castelmare could recommend to us," she added, with a significant emphasis on the words, "would be sure to suit us." "But perhaps the Marchese Lamberto may not know half as much about such matters as I do, bella Signorina.

People forget so many things by the time they come to the age of the Marchese," said the Conte Leandro, with a leering smile, which was meant to establish a confidential understanding between him and Paolina.

But the young girl's only answer was to turn in her chair a little more away from him towards the window.
"I think we had better leave the ladies, and see if we can find for them what they require.

I should prefer doing myself what my uncle has entrusted to me," said Ludovico, with a frown on his brow.
"Very good--do so.

You say you shall be back here in half an hour; if these ladies will permit me I will remain with them till you come back, and then we can all go and look at the quartiere you have found together," said the Conte Leandro.
Poor Paolina, though perfectly determined not to acquiesce in this arrangement, was quite at a loss what to say or do to prevent it from being carried out.
"But you forget your engagement to the Contessa Giulia," said Ludovico; "surely you had better make haste to keep it." He had no belief whatever in any such engagement, and had a very faint hope that any care for consistency would avail to induce his friend the Conte Leandro to affect the necessity of keeping it.