Others averred that he was the lover of the princess, the beautiful Flavia, who, although nine years his senior, was still superb.

And, truth to tell, he was certainly a man of violent desires, with an eagerness to rush on the spoils of conquest which rendered him utterly unscrupulous with regard either to the wealth or to the wives of others.
From the first day that he beheld Benedetta he desired her.

But she, at any rate, could only become his by marriage.

And he did not for a moment hesitate, but broke off all connection with Flavia, eager as he was for the pure virgin beauty, the patrician youth of the other.

When he realised that Ernesta, the mother, favoured him, he asked her daughter's hand, feeling certain of success.