Violante, despite her gravity, could not forbear smiling, as she said in reply: 

“Not at all, Signor.  I do not in the least forget that before Paolina ever came to Ravenna, you were no whit better disposed to second the wishes of our families.”

“Nay, Signorina.  I declare—­”

“What, again!  Do let us leave all such talk.  Don’t you see that we may frankly shake hands on it.  Don’t you see that any pain that your indifference might have occasioned is entirely salved by the consciousness that I have been as bad as you.  We are equally rebels against the destiny arranged for us.  Let us fight the battle together then.  I think that you would act wisely in telling your uncle at once that it is impossible you should make any other woman your wife than her who has your entire heart and affection.  I think that this course is due to Paolina also.”

“I only wished to spare my uncle, as much as possible, in breaking to him what I know will give him pain.”

“People, who will wish what they ought not to wish, must endure the pain that the frustration of such wishes entails.  It is certainly your right to marry according to your own inclinations.”

“Yes; and in truth, as far as real power goes, there is nothing to prevent my doing so.  It is truly a desire to break to my uncle, as gently as I can, that which will certainly be a blow to him.  He is not well, my uncle.  He is deplorably changed since the beginning of this year.  Look at him, as he passes us,” he added, as he observed the Marchese Lamberto approaching the place where they were sitting, with the white satin domino on his arm.

“He is looking changed and ill, certainly,” said Violante, when the Marchese had passed, apparently without noticing them; “he looks thin and worn, and yet feverish and excited.  Who is the lady on his arm?  She must be very tall.”

Many of the assembled company had by this time, like the Contessa Violante, discarded their masks, finding the heat, which always results from the use of them, oppressive, and not perceiving that any further amusement was to be got by retaining them.  But the white domino, leaning on the Marchese’s arm, still retained hers.  It is not likely that Bianca herself could have had any objection to its being seen by all Ravenna that she monopolized the attention of the Marchese during the entire evening.  And it is therefore probable that she had retained her disguise in compliance with some hint given to that effect by the Marchese Lamberto.

“I take it it must be La Lalli, the prima donna.  I know she is here to-night and in a white domino, though I have not yet spoken to her.  I am afraid my uncle must be tired and bored with her.  He always makes a point of showing those people attention; and besides he had so much to do with bringing her here.  I dare say we shall hear her once or twice again in this house before she leaves Ravenna.  My uncle is fond of getting up some good music in Lent, when he can.”