The Duchess of Trajetto

by Anne Manning

Thereon, the Duchess, much fluttered and embarrassed, went to tell Isabella that Ippolito was gone; and Isabella, in her cold, dry way, said:

"Why?"

Then the Duchess said he had been talking very uncomfortably and unintelligibly: he seemed hardly inclined to fulfil his engagement. Then Isabella said:

"He need not trouble himself. I made no engagement with him."

Then the Duchess said:

"My dear Isabella! what can you be thinking of?"

"I am thinking," says Isabella, after a pause, "of Rodomonte."

"Possibile? che gioja!" cried the Duchess, embracing her.

Rodomonte was the pet name of Giulia's younger brother Luigi, already spoken of. If Isabella were inclined to marry him, her portion would be a famous thing for him. The only question was, would the Pope consent?