"My wife is faithful to the lakes, you see," he remarked, after
pointing out the details to his visitor. "We have a sort of concert
this evening," he added, as they returned to the splendid Villa
Jeanrenaud. "I hope you will do me and the Princess the pleasure of
seeing you. Two months of poverty endured in intimacy are equal to
years of friendship."
Though he was consumed by curiosity, Rodolphe dared not ask to see the
Princess; he slowly made his way back to Eaux-Vives, looking forward
to the evening. In a few hours his passion, great as it had already
been, was augmented by his anxiety and by suspense as to future
events. He now understood the necessity for making himself famous,
that he might some day find himself, socially speaking, on a level
with his idol. In his eyes Francesca was made really great by the
simplicity and ease of her conduct at Gersau. Princess Colonna's
haughtiness, so evidently natural to her, alarmed Rodolphe, who would
find enemies in Francesca's father and mother--at least so he might
expect; and the secrecy which Princess Gandolphini had so strictly
enjoined on him now struck him as a wonderful proof of affection. By
not choosing to compromise the future, had she not confessed that she
loved him?
At last nine o'clock struck; Rodolphe could get into a carriage and
say with an emotion that is very intelligible, "To the Villa
Jeanrenaud--to Prince Gandolphini's.
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