We took seats at the table. Lorenzo found before him a pile of letters and newspapers, but did not attempt to open them. He sat looking at me with admiration and affection. I, on my part, said to myself that moral and religious influences had not only a beneficial effect on the soul, but on the outward appearance. Never had Lorenzo’s face worn such an expression; never had I been so struck with the manly beauty of his features. Our eyes met. He smiled.
“Ginevra mia!” said he, “in truth, you are right. The life we now lead must suit you, for you grow lovelier every day.”
“Our life does not suit you less than it does me, Lorenzo,” said I. “We are both in our element now. God be blessed! His goodness to us has indeed been great!”
“Yes,” said he with sudden gravity, “greater a thousand times than I had any right to expect. I am really too happy!”
This time I only laughed at his observation, and tried to divert his mind from the remembrances awakened.
He tore one open, and his face brightened.
“That looks well! Nothing could suit me better. Here is an American who wishes a repetition of my _Sappho_, and gives me another order of importance. And then what? He wishes to purchase the lovely _Vestal_ he saw in my studio. Oh! as for that, _par exemple_, no!… The _Vestal_ is mine, mine alone. No one else shall ever have it. But no matter, Ginevra; if things go on in this way, I shall soon be swimming in money, and then look out for the diamonds!”
He knew now, as well as I, what I thought of such things. He laughed, and then continued to read his letters.
“This is from Lando. It is addressed to us both.”
“Their honeymoon at Paris is still deferred. They cannot leave Donna Clelia.”
After reading for some time in silence, he said in an animated tone:
“This letter has been written some time, and it seems there were rumors of war on all sides at the time, and poor Mariuccia, though scarcely married to her German baron, had to set out for her new home much sooner than she expected.”
I listened to all this with mingled indifference and distraction, when I suddenly saw Lorenzo spring from his seat with an exclamation of so much surprise that I was eager to know what had caused his sudden excitement.