Her constitution must have been far stronger than any one supposed.

She must indeed have been in considerable anxiety about the success of her plans, more than once during the past few days.

Yet she was outwardly almost as unruffled and as lazy as ever.
"Dearest child," she said at last, "of course, as I have said, I cannot argue the point with you.

No one could, in your present state of mind.
But there is one thing which I must say, and which I am sure you will be quite ready to understand." Beatrice said nothing, but slowly turned her head towards her mother with a look of inquiry.
"I only want to say, my angel, that whatever you may think of San Miniato, and however much you may choose to let him know what you think, it may be quite possible to act with more civility than you have used during the last few days." "Is that all ?" asked Beatrice with a hard laugh.

"How nicely you turn your phrases when you lecture me, mamma! So you wish me to be civil.
Very well, I will try." "Thank you, Beatrice carissima," answered her mother with a sigh and a gentle smile.