Gian Maria goes about it resignedly.

He will tell you that he has always known that some day he must wed and do his best to beget a son.

He held out long enough against this alliance, but now that necessity is driving him at last, he goes about it much as he would go about any other State affair--a coronation, a banquet, or a ball.

Can you wonder now that I would not accept the throne of Babbiano when it was offered me?
I tell you, Fanfulla, that were I at present in my cousin's shoes, I would cast crown and purple at whomsoever had a fancy for them ere they crushed the life out of me and left me a poor puppet.
Sooner than endure that hollow mockery of a life I would become a peasant or a vassal; I would delve the earth and lead a humble life, but lead it in my own way, and thank God for the freedom of it; choose my own comrades; live as I list, where I list; love as I list, where I list, and die when God pleases with the knowledge that my life had not been altogether barren.

And that poor girl, Fanfulla! Think of her.