Will you?"
"As well as I can," answered Corbario, instantly changing his tone and
growing earnest.
"Don't be surprised," Marcello said, half apologetically, as if he were
already weakening. "I shall never do anything without your advice. Of
course you know how I feel about all this, that I am leading a
disorderly life, and--well, you understand!"
"Perfectly, my dear boy. I only wish to help you out of it as soon as
possible, if you want to be helped. I'm quite sure that you will pull
through in time. I have always believed in you."
"Thank you. I know you have. Well, I'll ask you my question. You know
well enough that I shall never care for society much, don't you?"
"Society will care for you," answered Folco. "What is the question?"
"I'm coming to it, but I want to explain, or it will not be quite clear.
You see, it is not as if I were a personage in the world."
"What sort of personage? Please explain."
"I mean, if I were the head of a great house, with a great title and
hereditary estate."
"What has that to do with it?" Folco was mystified.
"If I were, it would make a difference, I suppose. But I'm not. I'm
plain Marcello Consalvi, no better than any one else."
"But vastly richer," Folco suggested.
"I wish I were not. I wish I were a poor clerk, working for my living."
"The air of this place is not good for you, my boy." Folco laughed
gaily.
"No, don't laugh! I'm in earnest.
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