"She taught me some bad habits that I have not
got over yet." With those words he nodded and hastily went out.
"Superstitious," said Father Rocco softly to himself. He smiled
again, reflected for a moment, and then, going to the window,
looked into the street. The way to the left led to Fabio's
palace, and the way to the right to the Campo Santo, in the
neighborhood of which Nanina lived. The priest was just in time
to see the young sculptor take the way to the right.
After another half-hour had elapsed, the two workmen quitted the
studio to go to dinner, and Luca and his brother were left alone.
"We may return now," said Father Rocco, "to that conversation
which was suspended between us earlier in the day."
"I have nothing more to say," rejoined Luca, sulkily.
"Then you can listen to me, brother, with the greater attention,"
pursued the priest. "I objected to the coarseness of your tone in
talking of our young pupil and your daughter; I object still more
strongly to your insinuation that my desire to see them married
(provided always that they are sincerely attached to each other)
springs from a mercenary motive."
"You are trying to snare me, Rocco, in a mesh of fine phrases;
but I am not to be caught. I know what my own motive is for
hoping that Maddalena may get an offer of marriage from this
wealthy young gentleman--she will have his money, and we shall
all profit by it.
Pages:
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418