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'The Signor Edoardo ordered me to make this some time ago for his bride, and I trust I have not laboured in vain. 'In truth it is much handsomer than either of these others, said the bride; 'but you told me nothing of this, Edoardo? 'It was a surprise, added Sophia. 'My own Edoardo, said the bride again; 'another kindness; a new expression of your love.
The glance that he directed to every corner of the apartment, perhaps because he did not dare to look her in the face, was dark and unsteady: some broken words, uttered in a low voice, pierced her heart like a dagger. And without any available means, she promised Edoardo to procure him the required sum by next day.
When alone, the conversation, the adieus of the lovers, were not long; they both wept, looked at each other, and were silent. Yet how many things had they to say to each other, how many promises to renew, how many hopes and fears to exchange! They parted; Edoardo pleased with himself, and Sophia dissatisfied with him and herself, without knowing why.
She said more, and seemed to make other confidences to her daughter, but her words were uttered so feebly that they were lost. She then leaned her head on the shoulder of Sophia, never to raise it more. Four months after this event, the time of study returned, and Edoardo came again to Padua. He did not bring the consent of his father to their marriage, but only some distant hopes.
'Impossible, Sophia; things have already gone too far. She is a princess one of the first families of Florence. It breaks my heart, but it is impossible. 'What matters her rank, her relatives, if you do not love her? 'And if I did love her? said Edoardo, wavering, rather to see whether it would be a means of ridding him of Sophia than expressing the sincere feeling of his heart.
Edoardo turned towards a table, as if to look for some papers, saying to himself: 'I am lost. And Sophia knelt down by the trunk that contained her clothes, pretending to rummage for something in it, while she wiped away her tears, and suppressed her sighs. Edoardo's bride entered.
Poor Sophia, I desire no other glory in this world than that of being able to make you feel the sweet that Providence in pity mingles with the bitter of human existence. There is no sweetness in the life of mortals that is not the offspring of love. 'Yes, added Sophia, 'when love is united with constancy. But what are you daubing at, Edoardo? You are actually putting red on orange leaves.
Even the mercers of the city, when they had need of flowers of superior beauty, applied to Sophia, who willingly acceded to their requests. The two days of delay to Edoardo's departure were past, and in those two days the Signora Cadori had had a new and very violent attack, which placed her life in danger. Edoardo came to take leave of the family.
'It was but a slight indisposition, as I have written to you, replied he; 'nor was there any reason for your hasty presence in Venice. 'Edoardo, Edoardo! there was no reason! I have written to you! Edoardo, why do you speak so to me? Why are you disturbed? Are you no longer my own Edoardo? Tell me, tell me what is the matter with you? 'Nothing. But what do you think will be said of you?
The sound of a silver bell, heard from a chamber close by, took away Sophia from her occupation. She rose hastily, saving, 'My mother! oh, my poor mother! Adieu for a while, Edoardo. Edoardo Valperghi was the son of a wealthy Venetian merchant. He had received a grave but unprofitable education, it being that which is wholly directed to the intellect and nothing to the heart.
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