For that matter they are old friends!" replied Orsola, adopting the porter's phrase for want of one which could express the meaning she had in her mind more desirably.
"To be sure--to be sure.

And if you will take my advice, Signora, you will go home, and give yourself no trouble at all about the young lady.
Lord bless us! what though 'tis Lenten-tide?
Young folks will be young, Signora Orsola.

They'll come home safe enough.

And maybe I might as well say nothing to the Signor Marchesino about your coming here, you know.
When folks have come to that time of life, Signora, as brings sense with it, they mostly learn that least said is soonest mended," said the old porter, with a nod of deep meaning.
And Signora Orsola was fain to take the porter's advice, so far as returning to her home went.

But it was not equally easy to give herself no further trouble about Paolina.