As to the terms on which he stood with her there were differences of opinion.

But by far the more accredited notion was that the affair was quite a normal and ordinary one; and that the charming Paolina was the young Marchese's mistress.
Would he give her up, when the marriage, which, as was well known to all Ravenna, his uncle had been arranging for him with the young Contessa Violante di Marliani, and which was expected to come off shortly, should be consummated?
That was the more interesting point for speculation.
Would he, as really seemed not impossible, be mad enough to carry on with the Venetian girl to such an extent as to give umbrage to the family of the Contessa, and perhaps even endanger the match?
This also was debated among his young peers of the Circolo, while he was passing the hour in the Strada di Sta.

Eufemia.
His uncle was far from being aware how far matters had gone with his nephew in this matter.

But he knew enough to make him uneasy about it, and to lead him to endeavour to push on the match with the Contessa Violante by every means in his power: for the marriage with the Lady Violante was, in every point of view, a desirable one.

The Cardinal Legate of Ravenna was a Marliani, and the young lady in question was his great-niece--the granddaughter of his only brother.