No one could, in your present state of mind.
But there is one thing which I must say, and which I am sure you will be
quite ready to understand."
Beatrice said nothing, but slowly turned her head towards her mother
with a look of inquiry.
"I only want to say, my angel, that whatever you may think of San
Miniato, and however much you may choose to let him know what you think,
it may be quite possible to act with more civility than you have used
during the last few days."
"Is that all?" asked Beatrice with a hard laugh. "How nicely you turn
your phrases when you lecture me, mamma! So you wish me to be civil.
Very well, I will try."
"Thank you, Beatrice carissima," answered her mother with a sigh and a
gentle smile. "It will make life so much easier."
Again there was a long silence, and Beatrice sat motionless in her
chair, debating whether she should wait where she was until San Miniato
came, as he was sure to do before long, or whether she should go to her
room and write a letter to some intimate friend, which would of course
never be sent, or, lastly, whether she should not take Teresina and go
down to her bath in the sea before the midday breakfast.
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