II + 

Gian-Luca’s courtship of Maddalena was tranquil and quite without pain, for this was not loving as he had loved the Padrona, but a gentle, kindly and grateful emotion, soothing rather than stimulating⁠—for the rest, it was being loved. He made the acquaintance of Aunt Ottavia whose house was in Coldbath Square, and she in her turn went to call on Teresa, and was properly impressed by the salumeria, and properly respectful to its mistress. Teresa invited Maddalena to tea, and inspected her not unkindly. Old Compton Street getting wind of the event, in came Rosa, Nerone and Rocca. Presently Mario came in as well; and Maddalena, who was not yet affianced, blushed and smiled shyly beneath all those eyes, and prayed that the Virgin would tell her what to say, so that she might make a good impression. + 

Then Gian-Luca went to see Millo in his office and asked for an extra day’s leave; he also asked that a girl in the still-room should be granted a holiday as well. + 

Millo smiled faintly: “What is this, Gian-Luca? And who is this girl from the still-room?” + 

“Maddalena Trevi,” Gian-Luca told him; “I wish to make her my wife.” + 

“I see. And so you are going to get married?” + 

“If she will have me, signore.” + 

Millo looked into Gian-Luca’s face and noted the lines round his eyes⁠—other things, too, he noted in that face. + 

“It is time you got married,” he told him with decision; “and I hope it may mean that you are going to settle down.” + 

“What else can it mean, signore?” said Gian-Luca. + 