He would have been wiser to allow her to have her own way." "Do nothing rash, Nino mio.

Consider a little what the consequences would be if you were caught in the act of violently carrying off the daughter of a man as powerful as Von Lira." "Bah! You talk of his power as though we lived under the Colonnesi and the Orsini, instead of under a free monarchy.

If I am once married to her, what have I to fear?
Do you think the count would go to law about his daughter's reputation?
Or do you suppose he would try to murder me ?" "I would do both, in his place," I answered.

"But perhaps you are right, and he will yield when he sees that he is outwitted.

Think again, and suppose that the contessina herself objects to such a step." "That is a different matter.