"
He was indeed both happy and satisfied, for he saw no reason to suppose
that the Granmichele fortune could now slip from his grasp. Moreover he
had considerable confidence in himself and his powers, and he thought it
quite probable that the scene of the previous evening might before long
be renewed with more lasting effect. Beatrice was young and capricious;
there is nothing one may count on so surely as youth and caprice.
Caprice is sure to change, but who is sure that the faith kept for ten
years will not? In youth love is sure to come some day, but when that
day is past is it ever sure that he will come again? San Miniato knew
these things and many more like them, and was wise in his generation as
well as a man of the world, accustomed to its ways from his childhood
and nourished with the sour milk of its wisdom from his earliest youth
upward.
So he quietly conveyed to the Marchesa the information that he
understood Beatrice's present mood and that he would not attach more
importance to it than it deserved. They talked a little longer together,
both for the present avoiding any reference to the important
arrangements which must soon be discussed in connection with the
marriage contract, but both taking it entirely for granted that the
marriage itself was quite agreed upon and settled.
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