Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 1 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/240

 "She 'll do exactly as her inclination prompts. She 'll marry the man who pleases her, if he has n't a dollar. I know her better than you."

The Cavaliere turned perhaps a little paler than usual, but he smiled more urbanely. "No, no, caro signorino, you don't know her better than I. You've not watched her day by day for twenty years. I too have admired her. She is a brava ragazza; she has never said an unkind word to me; the blessed Virgin be thanked! But she must have a great position and a brilliant destiny; they 've been marked out for her and she 'll submit. You had better believe me; it may save you some rash expense."

"I shall see what I shall see." But Roderick's serenity was strained.

"Then you 'll tell me. But I retire from the discussion," the Cavaliere added. "I 've no wish to provoke you to attempt to prove to me that I 'm a vieille bête. You're already très-monté."

"No more than is natural to a man who in an hour or so is to dance a cotillon with a divinity."

"A cotillon? has she promised?"

Roderick patted the air as for pity of those who pretended to guess the terms of the understanding of two such intimates. "You 'll see what you will see!"

The Cavaliere gave an exaggerated shrug. "You'll make a great many mourners!"

"What a mourner won't he have made already!" Rowland silently echoed. This was evidently not the first time that reference had been made between Roderick and the Cavaliere to the young man's 206