"Oh, not he in particular, perhaps," answered the stout countess,
growing more and more vague. "They are all to be pitied, you know. What
is to become of young men brought up in that way? The club, the turf,
the card-table--to drink, to gamble, to bet, it is not an existence!"
"Do you mean that Don Orsino leads that sort of life?" inquired Maria
Consuelo indifferently.
Again Donna Tullia's heavy shoulders moved contemptuously.
"What else is there for him to do?"
"And his father? Did he not do likewise in his youth?"
"His father? Ah, he was different--before he married--full of life,
activity, originality!"
"And since his marriage?"
"He has become estimable, most estimable." The smile with which Donna
Tullia accompanied the statement was intended to be fine, but was only
spiteful. Maria Consuelo, who saw everything with her sleepy glance,
noticed the fact.
Corona was disgusted, and leaned back in her seat, as far as possible,
in order not to hear more. She could not help wondering who the strange
lady might be to whom Donna Tullia was so freely expressing her opinions
concerning the Saracinesca, and she determined to ask Orsino after the
ceremony.
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