“She is a very good and sensible girl.”
“No doubt. And a very pretty.”
“I must use my instruments. They do not comprise many Madonnas.”
“But why—?”
“A woman’s arguments are everything in these matters. She will convince his diffidence, if any can.”
“Of what?”
“That Fortune has been very obliging to him.”
“How? In giving him such a confessor?”
“Well; if you were worth my steel!”
“I am not, I assure you. I wish her the last success, naturally. If she encourages him to the venture, and, better, if he prospers in it, there will be none better pleased than I. Fate, certainly, has already interfered very opportunely in his behalf. It would be criminal to forego that advantage. Believe me, I shall do nothing, for my part, to balk the Signorina.”