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Updated: June 25, 2025
"Mario Nobili, wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife?" sternly repeated Fra Pacifico, fixing his dark eyes upon him. "I will," answered Nobili. Whatever his feelings were, Nobili had mastered them. For an instant Nobili's eye met Enrica's. He turned hastily away. Enrica sighed. Whatever hopes had buoyed her up were gone. Nobili had turned away from her!
Besides the festival, and Count Nobili's audacity, the marchesa had a further cause for ill-humor. No one had come on that evening to play her usual game of whist. Even Trenta had deserted her. She had said to herself that when she the Marchesa Guinigi "received," no other company, no other engagement whatever, ought to interfere with the honor that her company conferred.
He dares not show himself, or he would be stabbed; but Count Nobili's lawyer has had a conference with Maestro Guglielmi. Cavaliere Trenta insisted upon being present. This was against my will. Cavaliere Trenta always says too much. Maestro Guglielmi gave Count Nobili's lawyer three days to decide. At the expiration of that time Signore Guglielmi met him again.
Enrica was, in truth, but a common mortal, but she looked so fresh, and bright, and young, with such tender, trusting eyes there was such an aureole of purity about her, she might have passed for a virgin saint. As he caught sight of Enrica, the moody expression on Count Nobili's face changed, and broke into a smile. In her presence he forgot the marchesa.
"Your niece must consent, Count Nobili must appear voluntarily before the altar, else the Church cannot sanction the union. It would be sacrilege. How do you propose to overcome Count Nobili's refusal?" "By the law!" exclaimed the marchesa, imperiously. Fra Pacifico turned aside his head to conceal a smile. The law had not hitherto favored the marchesa.
"A thousand devils! no," was Nobili's irate reply, pushing him back. "Let me go up; I shall say nothing. Cospetto! What is it to me?" "Thanks! thanks! The excellency is full of mercy to an old, overworked servant. There was a time when the Boccarini " Nobili did not wait to hear more, but strode through the darkness at hazard, to find the stairs.
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?
I have accepted Count Nobili's money; Count Nobili must accept my niece." "Your niece must nevertheless consent. I can permit no other arrangement. Then you have to find Count Nobili. He must voluntarily appear at the altar." Fra Pacifico turned his resolute face full upon the marchesa. Her whole attitude betrayed intense excitement.
When the marchesa entered the sala after she had left the chapel, her steps were slow and measured. Count Nobili's words rang in her ear: "I will not live with her." She could not put these words from her. For the first time in her life the marchesa was shaken in the belief of her mission. If Count Nobili refused to live with Enrica as his wife, all the law in the world could not force him.
"I beg pardon, count," answered the urbane Trenta, remembering Nobili's liberal politics "I mean no society. Society, as a system, has ceased to exist in Italy. But we must think of the cotillon. It is now twelve o'clock. There will be supper. Then we must soon begin. You, count, are to dance with Nera Boccarini. You came so late we were obliged to arrange it for you." Nobili colored crimson.
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