"But there is a lady of the Tiepolo, Annina!"
"As sure as there are cousins like ourselves. Santa Madre di Dio! that
woman so treacherous and so bold should have met one of thy innocence!
It would have been better had they fallen in with me, who am too
ignorant for their cunning, blessed St. Anna knows!--but who have not to
learn their true characters."
"They did speak of thee, Annina!"
The glance which the wine-seller's daughter threw at her cousin, was
such as the treacherous serpent casts at the bird; but preserving her
self-possession she added--
"Not to my favor; it would sicken me to hear words of favor from such as
they!"
"They are not thy friends, Annina."
"Perhaps they told thee, child, that I was in the employment of the
council?"
"Indeed they did."
"No wonder. Your dishonest people can never believe one can do an act of
pure conscience. But here comes the Neapolitan.--Note the libertine,
Gelsomina, and thou wilt feel for him the same disgust as I!"
The door opened, and Don Camillo Monforte entered. There was an
appearance of distrust in his manner, which proved that he did not
expect to meet his bride. Gelsomina arose, and, though bewildered by the
tale of her cousin, and her own previous impressions, she stood
resembling a meek statue of modesty, awaiting his approach. The
Neapolitan was evidently struck by her beauty, and the simplicity of her
air, but his brow was fixed, like that of a man who had steeled his
feelings against deceit.
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