r Bernardo del Nero was as inexorable as Romola had expected in his
advice that the marriage should be deferred till Easter, and in this
matter Bardo was entirely under the ascendancy of his sagacious and
practical friend. Nevertheless, Bernardo himself, though he was as far
as ever from any susceptibility to the personal fascination in Tito
which was felt by others, could not altogether resist that argument of
success which is always powerful with men of the world. Tito was making
his way rapidly in high quarters. He was especially growing in favour
with the young Cardinal Giovanni de' Medici, who had even spoken of
Tito's forming part of his learned retinue on an approaching journey to
Rome; and the bright young Greek who had a tongue that was always ready
without ever being quarrelsome, was more and more wished for at gay
suppers in the Via Larga, and at Florentine games in which he had no
pretension to excel, and could admire the incomparable skill of Piero
de' Medici in the most graceful manner in the world. By an unfailing
sequence, Tito's reputation as an agreeable companion in "magnificent"
society made his learning and talent appear more lustrous: and he was
really accomplished enough to prevent an exaggerated estimate from being
hazardous to him. Messer Bernardo had old prejudices and attachments
which now began to argue down the newer and feebler prejudice against
the young Greek stranger who was rather too supple. To the old
Florentine it was impossible to despise the recommendation of standing
well with the best Florentine families, and since Tito began to be
thoroughly received into that circle whose views were the unquestioned
standard of social value, it seemed irrational not to admit that there
was no longer any check to satisfaction in the prospect of such a
son-in-law for Bardo, and such a husband for Romola. It was undeniable
that Tito's coming had been the dawn of a new life for both father and
daughter, and the first promise had even been surpassed. The blind old
scholar--whose proud truthfulness would never enter into that commerce
of feigned and preposterous admiration which, varied by a corresponding
measurelessness in vituperation, made the woof of all learned
intercourse--had fallen into neglect even among his fellow-citizens, and
when he was alluded to at all, it had long been usual to say that,
though his blindness and the loss of his son were pitiable misfortunes,
he was tiresome in c