All the former experience of the old lady led her to consider this an easy task.

And she was much surprised to find that her insinuations, assertions, and persuasions on this subject were totally thrown away on her pupil.

The precious gift of personal vanity had been denied to poor Violante; and she saw herself somewhat more unfavourably than others saw her.
Then the duenna changed her tactics; and strove to point out how very little a pretty face signified to any girl in the position of the Contessa di Marliani.

To a poor girl, indeed, whose face was her fortune, it was another matter.

But the niece of the Cardinal Legate! Bah! Did she imagine that she would lack suitors?
She had nothing to do but to make the most of the advantages in her hand, and she would see herself surrounded by all the beaux, while the prettiest girls in the room might go whistle for the smallest scrap of attention, And then, when married, with rank, station, wealth at her command, what would it signify?
And in urging all these considerations, the Signora Assunta Fagiani spoke at least sincerely, and expended for the benefit of her pupil the best wisdom that was in her.
Partly, however, she was working for her own purposes, as well as for the advantage, as she understood it, of her charge.