The prince
has been an orphan from his third year; he has therefore had a long
minority and made no inroads upon his fortune. Besides, he is very
prudent and orderly; I am only afraid that some day he will pull the
purse-strings too tight. All these years his affairs have been in the
hands of Monsignor B----, who has managed them to perfection--paid off
mortagages, planted forests, opened up mines. It is now a magnificent
fortune; such a fortune as, with his name, would justify the young man
in pretending to any alliance whatsoever. And he lays it all at the feet
of that young girl who is wandering in yonder boschetto with a penniless
artist."
"He is certainly a phoenix of princes! The signora must be in a state of
bliss."
The Cavaliere looked imperturbably grave. "The signora has a high esteem
for his character."
"His character, by the way," rejoined Rowland, with a smile; "what sort
of a character is it?"
"Eh, Prince Casamassima is a veritable prince! He is a very good young
man. He is not brilliant, nor witty, but he 'll not let himself be made
a fool of. He 's very grave and very devout--though he does propose to
marry a Protestant.
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