And so they exchanged the amenities usual at their first meeting in the
day, as though they had not been buying and selling an innocent soul,
and did not appreciate the fact in its startling reality. Several more
phrases of the same kind were spoken.
"And how is Donna Beatrice?" inquired San Miniato at last.
"Why not call her Beatrice?" asked the Marchesa carelessly. "She is very
well. You just saw her."
"I fancy it would seem a little premature, a little familiar to call her
so," answered the Count, who remembered his recent discomfiture. "For
the present, I believe she would prefer a little more ceremony. I do not
know whether I am right. Pray give me your advice, Marchesa carissima."
"Of course you are right--you always are. You were right about the moon
yesterday--though I did not notice that it was shining here when we came
home," she added thoughtfully, not by any means satisfied with the
insufficient demonstration he had given her at first.
"No doubt," replied San Miniato indifferently. He took no further
interest in the movements of the satellite since he had gained his
point, and the Marchesa was far too lazy to revive the discussion.
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