Volume I Part 63 (1/2)
Observing the lovely face of the young girl, I do not hesitate, but juondola, and pay double fare, on condition that no ers are taken An elderly priest was seated near the young girl, he rises to letit
CHAPTER XIX
I Fall in Love with Christine, and Find a Husband Worthy of Her--Christine's Wedding
”Those gondoliers,” said the elderly priest, ad dressing in the conversation, ”are very fortunate They took us up at the Rialto for thirty soldi, on condition that they would be allowed to eers, and here is one already; they will certainly find ondola, reverend sir, there is no rooive forty enerosity, thankthat title as truly belonging toaddressed me as such
”I aht to the title of Excellenza”
”Ah!” says the young lady, ”I anora?”
”Because when I find myself near a nobleman I am afraid But I suppose that you are an illustrissinora; I am only an advocate's clerk”
”So much the better, for I like to be in the company of persons who do not think themselves above me My father was a farmer, brother of my uncle here, rector of P----, where I was born and bred As I ahter I inherited my father's property after his death, and I shall likewise be heiress totireat deal of sorrow; but it is the doctor who says it Now, to return to my subject, I do not suppose that there is hter of a rich far, for I know very well that, in travelling, one must accept all sorts of companions: is it not so, uncle?”
”Yes, entle who or e are”
”But do you think I would have come if I had not been attracted by the beauty of your lovely niece?”
At these words the good people burst out laughing As I did not think that there was anything very co companions were rather simple, and I was not sorry to find theella'? Is it to shew me your fine teeth? I confess that I have never seen such a splendid set in Venice”
”Oh! it is not for that, sir, although everyone in Venice has paid me the sairls have teeth as fine as mine Is it not a fact, uncle?”
”Yes,which I will never tell you”
”Oh! tell me, I entreat you”
”Oh! certainly not, never”
”I will tell you myself,” says the curate
”You will not,” she exclaio away”
”I defy you to do it, my dear Do you knohat she said, sir, when she saw you on the wharf? 'Here is a very handso at me, and would not be sorry to be with us' And when she saw that the gondoliers were putting back for you to e tohiry, lovely Christine, at lad to let you kno truly charlad for a hly now