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don matteo’s mission
75
utter. " She could very well understand," she said,
" that Don Ferrante wished to know why she had
declined his offer. She had felt touched and infinitely
grateful for it, but she could not be his wife. She
could riot marry because she brought with her as a
marriage portion only dishonor and disgrace."
" If you marry an Alagona, dear signorina," said
Don Matteo, " you need not fear to be asked of
what family you yourself are. That is a glorious old
race. Don Ferrante and his sister are still counted
as the first in Diamante, although they have lost all
the family estates, and must carry on trade. Don
Ferrante knows well that the luster of the old name
would not be dulled by a marriage with you. Do
not hesitate on that account, signorina, if otherwise
you have nothing against marrying Don Ferrante."
But Signorina Palmeri repeated what she had said.
Don Ferrante ought not to marry the daughter of a
criminal. She sat there pale and despairing and, as it
seemed, wanted to train herself to say these terrible
words. She spoke of not wishing to obtrude herself
upon a family who would despise her. She succeeded
in repeating this, coldly and harshly, in a voice that
did not tremble.
But the more she spoke the stronger became Don
Matteo’s desire to help her. It was as if he had
met a queen who had been divested of her throne.
And he was seized with a burning desire to place
the crown again on her head, and fasten the mantle
on her shoulder.
Therefore Don Matteo asked her if her father
would not soon come out of prison, and wondered
what he would live upon.
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