He, too, had come to see the promised bride, and to be a witness of the bargain whereby he also was to be enriched.
As Marietta came out of the church, she covered her face closely and drew her silk mantle quite round her, bending her head a little.

The servant walked a few paces in front.
"You have seen your future husband, my child," said Beroviero.
"I suppose that the young noble was Messer Jacopo Contarini," answered Marietta coldly.
"You are hard to please, if you are not satisfied with my choice for you," observed her father.
To this Marietta said nothing.

She only bent her head a little lower, looking down as she trod delicately over the hot and dusty ground.
"And you are a most ungrateful daughter," continued Beroviero, "if you do not appreciate my kindness and liberality of mind in allowing you to see him before you are formally betrothed." "Perhaps he is even more pleased by your liberality of mind than I could possibly be," retorted the young girl with unbending coldness.

"He has probably not seen many Venetian girls of our class face to face and unveiled.

He is to be congratulated on his good fortune!" "By my faith!" exclaimed Beroviero, "it is hard to satisfy you!" "I have asked nothing." "Do you mean to say that you have any objections to allege against such a marriage ?" "Have I said that I should oppose it?
One may obey without enthusiasm." She laughed coldly.
"Like the unprofitable servant! I had expected something more of you, my child.