"Admirably spoken, Marquis!" said the King; "the sentiment is quite worthy of one who has the best blood of Sicily in his veins. But remember what an artificial state of society we live in; think of our conventional usages, and what a shock it gives to public opinion when one, placed in so exalted a position as you are, so palpably affronts universal and admitted custom; recollect that your reserve involves a censure on others, less suspicious, and, we would hope, not less rigidly honourable men, than yourself."
"Select a _cavalière_ yourself, as little likely to excite your jealousy as you please; as little agreeable as possible, if you prefer it: but, comply at least so far with the world's prescription, and do not shock our worthy Neapolitans by appearing to reflect upon them. There, what say you to that boy yonder? he is only a boy--he has just joined the English mission here. I'm sure he has formed no tender engagements to prevent you adopting him, and you will at least seem to conform with the usages of your neighbours."
"Your Majesty's wish is always a command. I feel proud to obey."
"Then, I am very happy to say I wish it," said the King, who turned away, dying to tell the court-party how miserable he had made the old Marquis.
Such are _débauché_ Kings; the glorious prerogative of power becomes the mere agent of perverted ingenuity to work mischief and do wrong!
The poor Marquis lost no time to follow out the royal commands, and at once made acquaintance with Beauclerc--only too happy to be noticed in such a quarter. I know not whether the lady was much gratified by the result of this kingly interposition in her favour: some said, Yes, and that the youth was really gifted and _spirituel_, with a vein of quiet, caustic humour, most amusing; others--and I half incline to this notion--pronounced him dull and uninteresting. At all events, the Marquesa enjoyed the liberty of appearing often in public, and seeing more of the world than heretofore. She usually visited the San Carlos, too, twice a week; a great improvement in her daily life, as previously the Opera was denied her.
Immediately over the Marquesa's box was the large box, or rather _salon_, belonging to the club of the Italian _nobili_, who frequented the theatre far less for the pleasures of the opera and the ballet than for the more exciting delights of _faro_ and _écarté_; and here, nightly, were assembled all the most dissipated and spendthrift youth of a capital, whose very gravest and most exemplary citizens would be reckoned "light company" any where else.