"The poor youth!" thought Riccabocca, "how unprepared he is for the happiness I give him!"
"The cunning old Jesuit!" thought Randal; "he has certainly learned, since we met last, that he has no chance of regaining his patrimony, and so he wants to impose on me the hand of a girl without a shilling. What other motive can he possibly have? Had his daughter the remotest probability of becoming the greatest heiress in Italy, would he dream of bestowing her on me in this off-hand way? The thing stands to reason."
Actuated by his resentment at the trap thus laid for him, Randal was about to disclaim altogether the disinterested and absurd affection laid to his charge, when it occurred to him that, by so doing, he might mortally offend the Italian--since the cunning never forgive those who refuse to be duped by them--and it might still be conducive to his interest to preserve intimate and familiar terms with Riccabocca; therefore, subduing his first impulse, he exclaimed,
"O, too generous man; pardon me if I have so long been unable to express my amaze, my gratitude; but I can not--no, I can not, while your prospects remain thus uncertain, avail myself of your--of your inconsiderate magnanimity. Your rare conduct can only redouble my own scruples, if you, as I firmly hope and believe, are restored to your great possessions--you would naturally look so much higher than me. Should those hopes fail, then, indeed, it may be different; yet, even then, what position, what fortune, have _I_ to offer to your daughter worthy of her?"
"You are well born: all gentlemen are equals," said Riccabocca, with a sort of easy nobleness. "You have youth, information, talent--sources of certain wealth in this happy country--powerful connections; and, in fine, if you are satisfied with marrying for love, I shall be contented;--if not, speak openly. As to the restoration to my possessions, I can scarcely think that probable while my enemy lives. And even in that case, since I saw you last, something has occurred (added Riccabocca with a strange smile, which seemed to Randal singularly sinister and malignant) "that may remove all difficulties. Meanwhile, do not think me so extravagantly magnanimous--do not underrate the satisfaction I must feel at knowing Violante safe from the designs of Peschiera--safe, and for ever, under a husband's roof. I will tell you an Italian proverb--it contains a truth full of wisdom and terror:"