only women who are too sleepy to be jealous. Here am I, doing
nothing to please myself, trying to do the best thing for everybody else,
and all the comfort I get is to have fire shot at me from women's eyes,
and venom spirted at me from women's tongues. If Beatrice takes another
jealous fit into her head--and it's likely enough, Tina is so
unmanageable--I don't know what storm she may raise. And any hitch in
this marriage, especially of that sort, might be a fatal business for the
old gentleman. I wouldn't have such a blow fall upon him for a great
deal. Besides, a man must be married some time in his life, and I could
hardly do better than marry Beatrice. She's an uncommonly fine woman, and
I'm really very fond of her; and as I shall let her have her own way, her
temper won't signify much. I wish the wedding was over and done with, for
this fuss doesn't suit me at all. I haven't been half so well lately.
That scene about Tina this morning quite upset me. Poor little Tina! What
a little simpleton it was, to set her heart on me in that way! But she
ought to see how impossible it is that things should be different. If she
would but understand how kindly I feel towards her, and make up her mind
to look on me as a friend;--but that it what one never can get a woman to
do. Beatrice is very good-natured; I'm sure she would be kind to the
little thing. It would be a great comfort if Tina would take to Gilfil,
if it were only in anger against me. He'd make her a capital husband, and
I should like to see the little grass-hopper happy. If I had been in a
different position, I would certainly have married her myself: hut that
was out of the question with my responsibilities to Sir Christopher. I
think a little persuasion from my uncle would bring her to accept Gilfil;
I know she would never be able to oppose my uncle's wishes. And if they
were once married, she's such a loving little thing, she would soon be
billing and cooing with him as if she had never known me. It would
certainly be the best thing for her happiness if that marriage were
hastened. Heigho! Those are lucky fellows that have no women falling in
love with them. It's a confounded responsibility.'

At this point in his meditations he turned his head a little, so as to
get a three-quarter view of his face. Clearly it was the '_dono infelice
della bellezza_' that laid these onerous duties upon him--an idea which
naturally suggested that he should ring for his valet.