The somewhat scornful allusion to the Cardinal's supposed wealth certainly did not constitute an attack upon Don Paolo, but Gianbattista nevertheless felt that he had said something rather foolish, and made haste to ignore his words.

The influence could not be escaped.
It was this subtle power that Marzio resented, for he saw that it was exerted continually, both upon himself and the members of his household.
The chiseller acknowledged to himself that in a great emergency his wife, his daughter, and even Gianbattista Bordogni, would most likely follow the advice of Don Paolo, in spite of his own protests and arguments to the contrary.

He fancied that he himself alone was a free agent.

He doubted Gianbattista, and began to think that the boy's character would turn out a failure.

This was the reason why he no longer encouraged the idea of a marriage between his daughter and his apprentice, a scheme which, somewhat earlier, had been freely discussed.
It had seemed an admirable arrangement.