"Eh, Marchese, and too much play is worse; but tell me how have you been since I saw you last?"
"Oh, just the same; I am as poor as ever, but soon I will be rich!"
"Bravo, Beltrami! Is your uncle, the Cardinal, dead?"
"My uncle, the Cardinal, is immortal," replied the Marchese cynically. "No, he still lives in the hope to succeed to the Fisherman's Chair. I am going to be married!"
"I congratulate you."
"Eh, Hugo, I think you will when you see the future Marchesa! She is in the theatre to-night. I am engaged to marry her, and as she takes my friends for her own, come with me and I will introduce you."
I drew back, as I wanted to watch the Contessa Morone, and if I went to Beltrami's box I would perhaps lose sight of her.
"You must excuse me, Signor Luigi, because--because you see I am not in evening dress."
It was the best excuse I could think of, but, being a very weak one, Beltrami laughed, and, slipping his arm into mine, dragged me along the corridor.
"Sapristi! you talk like a child. You are my friend. Signora Morone will be delighted to see you. She adores the English."