Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. II.djvu/355

Rh well-being can make her so, then—I too shall be happy.”

“But you know so little of her as yet. She is a fascinating girl, with a rich soul, but she will never make a practical house-wife.” He laughed. “That does not trouble me much. It is not that for which I am seeking in a wife. I seek for a friend, and a companion in life; some one whom I can love and can make happy. She is good, noble-minded, naïve, original. Only to be near her; to hear her warbling every day, would be to me an inexhaustible source of happiness. If she be not practical, as you say, in a house, or if she take no pleasure in domestic management, I can so arrange it that she need not trouble herself about such things further than she herself have inclination. Whether she have any property or not, I do not inquire, neither do I trouble myself about it. I have sufficient for us both. That which I fear is—that her heart is already preoccupied. One can see that she suffers; but even that makes her dearer, more amiable to me, more estimable. I beg of you to tell her so; and, that I now desire, not love, but time, confidence, and the opportunity of showing her how sincerely I am, and will be, her friend.”

These words pleased me very much, for I saw that they proceeded from a kind and honest heart. Afterwards, Waldo gave me more ample details of his family, of his outward position, property, and general circumstances; all of which were of the happiest description. He is a banker in Turin, has his own house and home, and a beautiful villa in one of the