"
The Princess's brow cleared.
"All the better," she said. "Well, my dear, it is not so bad after
all. We have found a husband for you, rich, of good family--quite as
good as yours, my child! Good-looking, smart--what more do you expect?
Besides, he cannot possibly refuse to marry you after what has
happened. On the whole, I think your adventure has turned out rather
well. You can be married in a month. Every one will think it quite
natural that it should have been kept quiet until I came, you see."
"But even if I wanted to marry him, he will never ask for me,"
objected Sabina, who was less surprised than might be expected, for
she knew her mother thoroughly.
The Princess laughed, and blew a cloud of smoke from her lips, and
then showed her handsome teeth.
"I have only to say the word," she answered. "When a young girl of our
world has spent the night in a man's rooms, he marries her, if her
family wishes it. No man of honour can possibly refuse. I suppose that
this Malipieri is a gentleman?"
"Indeed he is!" Sabina spoke with considerable indignation.
"Precisely. Then he will come to me this afternoon and tell his story
frankly, just as you have done--it was very sensible of you, my dear--
and he will offer to marry you. Of course I shall accept."
"But, mother," cried Sabina, aghast at the suddenness of the
conclusion, "I am not at all sure--"
She stopped, feeling that she was much more sure of being in love with
Malipieri than she had been when she had driven to the palace with
Sassi on the previous afternoon.
Pages:
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320