“You are right; but don’t go and fall in love with him, whatever you do.”
She burst into a laugh.
“I have other things to attend to. Besides, Cesare, is it so easy to find a rival to yourself?”
The handsome Italian shook his head.
“You are so strange, Sophia, whatever is difficult is the very thing to tempt you.”
“A scene of jealousy between you and me, Cesare!” said Sophia, ironically. “Do we not know one another well enough to be blasés as regards our mutual qualities and failings? Shall I be jealous, the day I have married you to Lichtenbach’s wealthy daughter? Just close your eyes, and leave me free to act. Besides, if you acted otherwise, that would be all of no use. You are well aware that I have never done anything that did not please me, even with personages far more redoubtable than yourself.”
“Come, come, Sophia, do not get excited! If I do not stop you, you will be threatening me in a minute. Ah, you have a will of iron!”
“Yes; and just now it is my will to completely subjugate this young Baradier.”
“Poor fellow, you will succeed only too easily!”
“Ah! Now you are going to pity him, are you?”