“Diana, don’t be so ridiculous about that child; you make me so angry. You do nothing but encourage her in every kind of nonsense----” “Is love nonsense?--and marrying? I thought you were always preaching their advantages.” “Ah, to you! that is a different thing altogether--except that there is no one half good enough for you. You! Yes, of course we shall all be too happy to see a Prince Consort.” “There will never be a Prince Consort,” said Diana; “if you knew what it is to be free, after being under somebody’s orders all your life!” “But a good husband does not give you orders; only men in novels, so far as I can see, call upon their wives to obey them in that melodramatic way. If Tom were to do it, I cannot say I should be angry: it would be too comical--I should laugh. Marriage is not slavery, Diana.” “But if I don’t mean to try it, why should I? there are quantities of people in the world to marry and be married. It is no sin, is it? but rather a variety. Now, acknowledge that I am convenient now and then, from the mere fact that there is only one of me! But it is the whole duty of woman in Sophy’s case. To marry and to marry well--to get a kind good man, who will not object to her aunt. So I repeat, Who is Mr. Pandolfini? To call her by such a big-sounding name would be very droll. But Italians are kind. Tell me who he is?” “He is--well, he is not for Sophy, if that is what you mean. The ridiculous idea! Sophy--a little nobody, a blanche Miss! If you knew the man, you would laugh----” “But you don’t laugh----” “No; because men are such fools! and you never know what absurdity they may be guilty of when a girl has that little admiring manner, and looks up to them. Still, the Cavaliere has better taste--he has more sense. He might die for _you_, Diana; but that little thing----” “For me!” Diana laughed, but a faint colour came upon her face. “That means, I suppose, that a tall dark woman seems more in this hero’s way than a little light one? Let us hope that the law of contraries will bring them together. I should not like little Sophy to be disappointed--and her aunt.” “You are really too absurd about Sophy and her aunt. Is a man to marry both of them? But he is _my_ friend, and I can’t have him brought down to such a fate. If that is what you mean, Diana, it must be a stand-up fight between you and me. I shall not give in if I can help it; and I am sure he is not such a fool.” “There is a wavering in your voice which sounds like alarm,” said Diana, laughing; “but I have no evil intentions in respect to your Mr. Pandolfini. I shall not stand up and fight. If Sophy cannot do it for herself, I shall not interfere.” “Sophy!” said Mrs. Hunstanton, with vast disdain; but nevertheless there was a slight quaver in her voice. CHAPTER V. THE PALAZZO DEI SOGNI.