The Duchess of Sutri has magnificent eyes, black and vivid, which form a singular contrast to the old age depicted in her face and person. Both their fans are closed in their hands, now so tired of moving them after so many years of balls and festivities. They are talking together slowly, watching with wandering eyes the elegant crowd which is coming and going.
“It wanted an Emperor, Lavinia, to make me leave my home at night.”
“Oh, in other times I wouldn’t have come here at any cost; isn’t he a Lutheran? But all that is changed. My Fabrizio has absolutely stated his wish to enter the Italian army. How was I, a widow, to contradict him? You understand me.”
“You have done well, my poor Lavinia. In fact, perhaps our sons and nephews are more right to accustom themselves to the new state of things than we are to protest. Now I am tired and sorry even of the discussion. I look and smile; sometimes I even laugh.”
“As for me, on the other hand, so many things happen and cause my pity, Livia. But to whom am I to say it? I should offend people by remarking on certain misfortunes and losses.”
“What magnificence, do you remember, in our times?”
“What a lot of us have fallen into the most terrible poverty; it is a real shame.”
“Poor, poor thing! She lives on her little property near Perugia, just a small house and a garden, I think.”
“But her daughter-in-law, Carolina della Marsiliana, is here. I see her over there.”
“Look, look, she is wearing the Marsiliana pearls!”
“Yes, she has rescued them from the moneylender, Labanchi, for a large sum.”
“Naturally, her father has so many millions.”
“Yes, it seems he wants to repurchase the whole of the Marsiliana properties.”
“Carolina is speaking with Arduina Fiore.”
“Why isn’t Arduina wearing her diadem or necklace?”
“She has given them to her two daughters-in-law, Beatrice and Vittoria.”
“They are fortunate, those Casalta girls.”
“Do you think so? This evening they are wearing the jewels of Casa Fiore. Do you notice the two daughters-in-law are following their mother-in-law side by side?”
“A little pale and supercilious. She doesn’t like society, I suppose. How long are you staying, Lavinia?”
“Don’t you know we can’t go away till this Emperor leaves?”