human
And what do you think of it now, papa mio?
gpt
Well, I see no reason to despair of the result, said Quinto.
human
You did not expect him to jump at the idea of making you Marchesa di Castelmare, I suppose? Of course he was a little staggered; and, probably, his own notion at this moment is, that he would rather never see your face again, than dream of such a thing. Ma, ci vuol pazienza! My notion is, that you will have him nibbling at the hook again before long. That little hint about the nephew was masterly. Depend upon it that will do its work.
gpt
But, Quinto, I did not say a word to him that was not true--hardly a word. I do like him better, by an hundred times, than any other man I ever knew; and if I succeed, you see if I do not make him a good wife; I swear I will! As for Signor Ludovico, that is all trash and nonsense. He belongs to his Venetian, body and soul: and he has enough to think of, poor boy, in scheming to get out of the marriage they have planned for him.
human
What! he wants to marry the Venetian, does he?
gpt
Yes; they have engaged themselves to each other; she would not hear of anything else.
human
Lord bless me! how moral and respectable the world is growing. I suppose Cupid himself will be attended by a gentleman in cassock and bands before long, and Mars will make Venus an honest woman, as the phrase goes. Well, I am not sorry I had my day in the old time. It would be rare fun, though, if these grand Signori, the uncle and the nephew, were both to be hooked in the same fashion at the same time.
gpt
There is nothing against the character of the Venetian of any sort,
human
Ta, ta, ta! I'd back your chance of the uncle against her chance of the nephew, any day of the week.
gpt
Ludovico is solemnly engaged to her.
human
I'd hold to my bet, all the same for that; and now let's get to bed, you have to sing to-morrow night.
gpt
Yes, and I'm regularly tired out; good-night.