'Can you listen to me?' he asked very coldly.
'I would prefer ... I would like to wait for some other day, rather,' the Marquis answered in a feeble voice.
'It will be better to have the talk out to-day,' Amati said, with the same commanding coldness.
'I am much disturbed ... very.'
'It may be that from what I tell you you will find something to soothe you. You know that I am devoted to you.'
'Yes, yes,' the other said vaguely.
'I cannot say much to prove my devotion; I try when I can to act in that spirit. I am sincerely attached to both of you.'
'We know it; our debt of gratitude is great.'
'Do not speak of that. For some time past I have wished to tell you of a hope of mine, and I dared not. You know me better than to suppose that any material interest would influence me. You see, my lord, I do not want to recall the past to your memory, it is so sorrowful, but it is necessary to do it. You and your daughter have been in poor circumstances for some years, and it is certainly not your daughter's fault. Your intentions are loving and holy; they have a high motive all honest men must approve of—the setting up of your house and fortune, to get happiness for your daughter; it is a good intention, I do not deny it. I myself admire this noble wish of yours.'
The Marquis held up his head now and then, glanced at the doctor with a flutter of his eyelids, showing approval of what he was saying, with such care and delicacy not to offend, not to cast an old man down more, for he suffered so much from his humiliation.