“Quite certain.  You can do nothing, and any attempt would be a useless scandal.  Besides, they are so happy, you do not know.”

“So happy, are they?  Do you think I am happy too?

“A man has every reason to be so, when his daughter marries an honest man.  It is a piece of good luck that does not happen often.”

“Probably from the scarcity of daughters who are willing to drive their fathers to distraction by their disobedience and contempt of authority,’” he said, savagely.

“No,—­from the scarcity of honest men,” I said.  “Nino is a very honest man.  You may go from one end of Italy to the other and not meet one like him.”

“I sincerely hope so,” growled Lira.  “Otherwise Italy would be as wholly unredeemed and unredeemable as you pretend that some parts of it are now.  But I will tell you, Conte Grandi, you cannot walk across the street, in my country, without meeting a dozen men who would tremble at the idea of such depravity as an elopement.”

“Our ideas of honesty differ, sir,” I replied.  “When a man loves a woman, I consider it honest in him to act as though he did, and not to go and marry another for consolation, beating her with a thick stick whenever he chances to think of the first.  That seems to be the northern idea of domestic felicity.”  Lira laughed gruffly, supposing that my picture was meant for a jest.  “I am glad you are amused,” I added.

“Upon my honour, sir,” he replied, “you are so vastly amusing that I am half inclined to forgive my daughter’s rashness, for the sake of enjoying your company.  First you entrench yourself behind your furniture; then you propose to fight me; and now you give me the most original views upon love and marriage that I ever heard.  Indeed I have cause to be amused.”

“I am happy to oblige you,” I said, tartly, for I did not like his laughter.  “So long as you confine your amusement to me, I am satisfied; but pray avoid using any objectionable language about Nino.”

“Then my only course is to avoid the subject?”

“Precisely,” I replied, with a good deal of dignity.

“In that case I will go,” he said.  I was immensely relieved, for his presence was most unpleasant, as you may readily guess.  He got upon his feet, and I showed him to the door, with all courtesy.  I expected that he would say something about the future before leaving me, but I was mistaken.  He bowed in silence, and stumped down the steps with his stick.

I sank into my arm-chair with a great sigh of relief, for I felt that, for me at least, the worst was over.  I had faced the infuriated father, and I might now face anybody with the consciousness of power.  I always feel conscious of great power when danger is past.  Once more I lit my cigar, and stretched myself out to take some rest.  The constant strain on the nerves was becoming very wearing, and I knew very well that on the morrow I should need bleeding and mallows tea.  Hardly was I settled and comfortable when I heard that dreadful bell again.