It must be very like hell up there in that castle, I should think." "Messer Diavolo, who rules over the house, will not let his prey escape him so easily as you think." "Her father ?" he asked.
"No; Benoni.

There is no creature so relentless as an old man in pursuit of a young woman." "I am not afraid of Benoni." "You need not be afraid of her father," said I, laughing.

"He is lame, and cannot run after you." I do not know why it is that we Romans laugh at lame people; we are sorry for them, of course, as we are for other cripples.
"There is something more than fear in the matter," said Nino, seriously.

"It is a great thing to have upon one's soul." "What ?" I asked.
"To take a daughter away from her father without his consent,--or at least without consulting him.

I would not like to do it." "Do you mean to ask the old gentleman's consent before eloping with his daughter?
You are a little donkey, Nino, upon my word." "Donkey, or anything else you like, but I will act like a galantuomo.
I will see the count, and ask him once more whether he is willing to let his daughter marry me.