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Updated: June 29, 2025
"Yes, love," Nobili answered to her question. "I must return to Lucca to-night. I started on the instant, as the cavaliere knows. Before I go, however, all must be settled about our marriage, and the contract signed. I will take no denial." Nobili spoke with the determination that was in him. Enrica's heart gave a bound. "The contract!" She had never thought of that.
He dared not quarrel either with the marchesa, Trenta, or the count, by whose joint support alone he could hope to plant himself firmly in the realms of Lucchese fashionable life a life which he felt was his element. At this moment Count Marescotti became suddenly aware of Enrica's presence.
Fra Pacifico rose, and with great solemnity signed them both with a thrice-repeated cross, then he placed Enrica's hand in Nobili's. The count raised it to his lips, and kissed it fervently. "My Enrica," he whispered, "this is a glorious day!" "Oh, it is heavenly!" she answered back, softly. The marchesa's white face darkened as she looked at Enrica. How dared Enrica be so happy?
Had Fra Pacifico seconded Enrica's proposal to enter a convent, all would have been lost! Still nothing was absolutely decided. It was possible Fra Pacifico might yet frustrate her plans. She ventured another question. "If Count Nobili meets you at the altar, you will not then refuse to marry him?" There was an imperceptible tremor in the marchesa's voice.
"I did not know that the Marchesa Guinigi ever received young men." As Nobili said this he fixed his eyes upon Enrica's face. What could he read there but assurance of the perfect innocence within? Yet the name of Count Marescotti had grated upon his ear like a discord clashing among sweet sounds. He shook the feeling off, however, for the time. Again he was her gracious lover.
Under the influence of the painful thoughts, she turned her head aside and said nothing. One of her hands was raised over her eyes to shade them from the candles; the other rested on her dark dress. If a marriage were really in question, what could be more serious? Was not Enrica's marriage to raise up heirs to the Guinigi heirs to inherit the palace and the heirlooms?
Last night's work only made the gift public," was Nobili's reply. There was a tone of triumph in Nobili's voice as he said this. He stooped and pressed his lips to Enrica's hand. Enrica stood by with downcast eyes a spray of pink oleander swaying from the terrace-wall in the light breeze above her head, for background.
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