The Marchioness looked shocked; but Giulia continued—
"Isabella threatens me with a lawsuit, and I am determined to write to the Pope about it."
"Oh, pray do not," cried Vittoria, "you are always a great deal too violent. You use such extraordinarily strong measures when mild ones would do."
"I, violent? Why, that is the last thing I am! It is because I am unprotected that people trample on me!"
"Trample! O, my dear Giulia!"
"Why, only remember how Ascanio and Napoleone came down upon me directly my poor Duke was dead!"
"Yes, and only remember how you came down upon them. You raised the whole country about it. No one less than the Pope and the Emperor would serve your turn."
"Well, and did not they say I was right? and did not they take my part?"
"Truly they did!—but it does not follow that they would do so again. Men are apt to fly to the rescue, directly they think a helpless woman is oppressed; but if they find out she is able and willing to fight her own battles, they let her! And indeed, dear Giulia, it does not become a woman to be pugnacious."
"Pugnacious!" The word was highly offensive, and the Duchess was deeply hurt. She threw herself on a pile of cushions and began to tear a nosegay to pieces, without saying a word.