Page:The Princess Casamassima (London and New York, Macmillan & Co., 1886), Volume 3.djvu/148

 you mean that the Scotchman is—what shall I call it?—his successor?'

For a moment Madame Grandoni made no reply. 'I think that this case is different. But I don't understand; it was the other, the little one, who helped her to know the Scotchman.'

'And now they have quarrelled—about my wife? It is all tremendously edifying!' the Prince exclaimed.

'I can't tell you, and shouldn't have attempted it, only that Assunta talks to me.'

'I wish she would talk to me,' said the Prince, wistfully.

'Ah, my friend, if Christina were to find you getting at her servants!'

'How could it be worse for me than it is now? However, I don't know why I speak as if I cared, for I don't care any more. I have given her up. It is finished.'

'I am glad to hear it,' said Madame Grandoni, gravely.

'You yourself made the distinction, perfectly. So long as she endeavoured only to injure me, and in my private capacity, I could condone, I could wait, I could hope. But since she has so recklessly thrown herself into the most criminal undertakings, since she lifts her hand with a determined purpose, as you tell me, against the most sacred institutions—it is too much; ah, yes, it is too much! She may go her way; she is no wife of mine. Not another penny of mine shall go into her pocket, and into that of the wretches who prey upon her, who have corrupted her.'

'Dear Prince, I think you are right. And yet I am sorry!' sighed the old woman, extending her hand for assistance to rise from her chair. 'If she becomes really poor, it will be much more difficult for me to leave her.