Giambattista’s workroom. Father and son are deep in discussion.
‘Ah, Paolina,’ Antonio greets her with a wide smile. ‘Did you sleep
well?’ Without awaiting her reply he continues, ‘You’re just in time;
my father is asking me all kinds of extremely awkward questions.’
Beneath his outspread hands lies the ledger in which Paolina has
been meticulously recording all his financial business. He pushes it
over to her side and gestures for her to approach the table.
‘Is something wrong?’ she asks shyly.
Giambattista throws his son a sceptical glance and
proceeds to question Paolina, indicating those passages and
abbreviations that are not clear to him. She supplies him with such
swift and concise answers that he soon shuts the cash-book. ‘My
compliments,’ declares Giambattista in admiration. ‘A man may
consider himself fortunate indeed to have at his side such a gifted
woman.’
Antonio beams and Paolina feels herself blushing.
‘Oh well, it’s only my job,’ she says lightly.
Giambattista looks at them both as if expecting some
further elucidation, but when none is forthcoming he simply opens
a drawer, stows away the ledger and turns the key in the lock.
This was what Paolina was dreading. Turning to Antonio,
she asks quickly in a low voice if she may have a word with him in
private.
His eyes darting to Giambattista, Antonio takes her arm.
‘We’ll be back in a moment, father,’ he says, leading her outside.
‘It is extremely kind of your parents to put us up,’ begins
Paolina, immediately they are out of sight, ‘but I am afraid the
house is too small for us all. I should like to come to a proper
arrangement with you concerning the work I do, without stepping
on your father’s toes. To be honest, I’m afraid there’s no room for
me here!’
‘Nonsense!’ laughs Antonio. ‘My father is getting on in life
and is certainly not looking for extra work.’
‘You think not?’ Paolina’s voice is laden with doubt. ‘You
saw how he locked away your ledger. He might be pleased enough
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