"That shall be mutual," replied San Giacinto, gravely.
"I suppose you mean to refer to my daughter's portion," returned the other with more indifference. "It is not much, you know—scarcely worth mentioning. I am bound to tell you that, in honour."
"We must certainly discuss the matter, if you are inclined to consider my proposal."
"Well, you know what young women's dowries are in these days, my dear
Marchese. We are none of us very rich."
"I will make a proposal," said San Giacinto. "You shall give your daughter a portion. Whatever be the amount, up to a reasonable limit, which you choose to give, I will settle a like sum in such a manner that at my death it shall revert to her, and to her children by me, if she have any."
"That amounts merely to settling upon herself the dowry I give her," replied Montevarchi, sharply. "I give you a scudo for your use. You settle my scudo upon your wife, that is all."
"Not at all," returned San Giacinto. "I do not wish to have control of her dowry—-"
"The devil! Oh—I see—how stupid of me—I am indeed so old that I cannot count any more! How could I make such a mistake? Of course, it would be exactly as you say. Of course it would."
"It would not be so as a general rule," said San Giacinto, calmly, "because most men would not consent to such an arrangement. That, however, is my proposal."
"Oh! For the sake of Flavia, a man would do much, I am sure," answered the prince, who began to think that his visitor was in love with the girl, incredible as such a thing appeared to him. The younger man made no answer to this remark, however, and waited for Montevarchi to state his terms.