Pagina 456 di 788

"Uncle," said Thaddeus, kissing his hand and blushing, "I will

tell you the truth. I have taken a great liking to that little

girl, Zosia, your ward, though I have seen her only a couple of

times; but they tell me that you design for my wife the

Chamberlain's daughter, a beautiful girl, and a rich man's

daughter. Now I could not marry Panna Rosa when I am in love with

Zosia; it is hard to change one's heart, but dishonourable to

marry when one loves another. Perhaps time will heal me; I shall

depart-for a long absence."

"Thaddeus," interrupted his uncle, "that is a strange way of

being in love, to run away from one's beloved. It is well that

you are frank; you see, you would have committed an act of folly

by going away. But what should you say if I helped you to obtain

Zosia? Hey? Well, aren't you jumping for joy?"