He had never had much cause to be dissatisfied with his nephew's conduct, or with his behaviour towards himself: but some years before the present time, he had been made aware that the Marchese Ludovico was one of those whom it is easier to lead than to drive; and that any attempt at a little too much driving would be likely to lead to kicking, and perhaps to an entire breaking of reins and traces.
And, being a man of sense, he had acted on the hints thus given him with considerable success.

The Marchese Ludovico had submitted on most occasions to be led with all desirable docility.

But now, in this matter, wherein judicious leading was more than ever before in his life necessary to him, he seemed to decline to be led at all.
How could the perplexed Marchese do otherwise than frown when he was told that his nephew was not at the Circolo at that hour of the evening, knowing very well where such absence showed him to be?
Yet he probably would have done, or attempted to do, some thing else,--or, at all events, the frown would have been a yet heavier and blacker one,--could he not only have guessed where his nephew was at that moment, but have also heard what was passing in the little salottino of the Strada di S.
Eufemia.
Some account of the conversation there may perhaps serve the purpose of saving all necessity for a detailed account of the intercourse which had taken place between Ludovico and Paolina during the last eight months.
The story of it will be sufficiently understood from a peep at its result..