“We may therefore hope—­myself and your numerous other friends in this city—­to see you here before long.  Doubtless the tidings, which I have been anxious to be the first to give you, will be very shortly communicated to you in a more official manner.  I fancy, indeed, that I shall not have been able to be much beforehand with the official announcement.  Make your arrangements, then, I beseech you, to give us as long a visit as you can steal from the grave cares of watching over the interests of your beloved Ravenna.  There are many here who are anxious to renew their acquaintance, and, if he will permit them to say so, their friendship with the Marchese di Castelmare.  And, if I may venture to do so, my dear friend, I would, before closing my letter, whisper that, with due care and a little activity, the present favour of our Holy Father may be but the earnest of other things.”

“The future, however, is in God’s hands, and man is but as grass.  Nevertheless, as far as it is permissible to judge of the human agencies by which the Heavenly Providence brings about its ends, I should say that your Legate, his Eminence the Cardinal Marliani, was, of all the present Fathers of the Church, one of the most deserving of our regards and respect.  Should you have a fitting opportunity of allowing his Eminence to become aware how strongly such have always been my sentiments, and how unceasingly I endeavour to impress them on others, I should esteem it as a favour.  It is well that merit even so exalted as his should know that it is appreciated.”

“Omit not, my friend, to offer to the Marchese Ludovico, your nephew, the expression of my most distinguished regard and respect; and believe me, Illusmo Signor Marchese, of your Excellency the devoted friend and most obedient servant.”  “Giuseppe Paterini”

Before the Marchese had read the wordy epistle of his correspondent half through, he raised himself briskly to an upright sitting posture in his bed, his head was lifted with a proud movement from its drooping attitude, and an expression of gratified pride and pleasure came into his eyes.  The much-coveted distinction which was now, he was told, to be his, had long been the object of his eager ambition.  And the manner in which it was to be conferred on him—­the attitude he should stand in with reference to his friend the Cardinal Legate—­all contributed to make the occasion gratifying to him.

He rang his bell sharply for his servant, and said he would get up at once.

The valet said that there was a servant from the Legate’s palace below, with a letter for the Marchese from the Cardinal—­that, fearing his master was not well, and might be getting a little sleep, he, the valet, had been unwilling to bring the letter up; but that the man was waiting his Excellency’s pleasure, as he had been ordered to ask for an answer.

Doubtless this was the official communication of which Paterini spoke, or the forerunner of it.  The Marchese desired his man to bring him the Cardinal’s letter directly.