"The matter we spoke of two days ago--my plans for my daughter." The lawyer glanced quickly at his friend and assumed an indifferent expression.

He was aware that his position, was socially superior to that of the silver-chiseller, in spite of Marzio's great talent.

But he knew also that Lucia was to have a dowry, and that she would ultimately inherit all her father possessed.

A dowry covers a multitude of sins in the eyes of a man to whom money is the chief object in life.
Carnesecchi, therefore, meant to extract as many thousands of francs from Marzio as should be possible, and prepared himself to bargain.

The matter was by no means settled, in spite of the chiseller's instructions to his wife concerning the outfit.
"We must talk," said Carnesecchi.