Marcello would bore her to death in six months, and Aurora would drive him quite mad." Corbario smiled.
"I had hoped," he said, "that women with marriageable daughters would think Marcello a model husband.

But of course I am prejudiced.

I have had a good deal to do with his bringing up during the last four years." "No one can say that you have not done your duty by him," Maddalena answered.

"I wish I could feel that I had done as well by Aurora--indeed I do!" "You have, but you had quite a different nature to deal with." "I should think so! It is my own." Corbario heard the little sigh as she turned her head away, and being a wise man he said nothing in answer.

He was not a Roman, if indeed he were really an Italian at all, but he had vaguely heard the Contessa's story.