"That fellow carries it with a high hand," said one young noble to another, referring to Carlton.
"Ay, but he has the full countenance and favor of the duke, and none can gainsay him."
"Well, he is deuced clever," said the English consul, who was talking with the other two.
"Is it a fact that he is American?" asked the first speaker, still regarding him.
"Undoubtedly. You know he was announced as such when he won the duke's prize."
"How the ladies take to him," said the English consul.
"And he to them," added another.
"The Signora Florinda is said particularly to affect him, and he may win a prize there," said one of the group.
"That would be too bad-the richest heiress in Florence to throw herself away thus!"
"'There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip,'" quoted the English consul, and then walking away.