And don Raimondo wrote and wrote again. Soon they were able to confirm that Pavonetti, whose family enjoyed the esteem of everyone in Verona, was an intelligent and honest young man.

And Caterina?

Aunt Vanna talked to Caterina about him.

“You know, he’s a good young man … it was really lucky … even Uncle Raimondo says so.”

“But if he’s never seen me? If I’ve never seen him?”

“You’ll get to know one another!”

“And where?”

“Where?” No one had thought about that. In the house it was unthinkable, laughable. If the engagement didn’t materialize, how would they explain the visit of a male stranger?

“He could come in the evening, later …” proposed Aunt Fifì.

“Like smuggled goods? In our home? Have you lost your mind?”

“What we need is a neutral house,” said Uncle Raimondo.

“Exactly,” repeated don Tano. “A neutral house.”

“But …” interrupted Aunt Vanna.

“Slow down! Let’s take things one at a time,” began don Raimondo, extending his hands as though he were dodging an invisible obstacle.

“All right. In my house, it wouldn’t be so obvious because I often have friends who aren’t from around here come to see my stamp collection. I’ll invite him over with that excuse. You,” he added, turning to his brother, “you’ll find some way of showing up here with your daughter. Nenè will be there, and my wife…. It will give you a chance to get to know one another. Of course, all of us will act as though we don’t know anything. A chance encounter. Then, when he makes his feelings known to signora Teta Picci’s husband, we’ll have to decide.”

“There!” sighed Aunt Vanna. “The most intricate questions become child’s play in the hands of Raimondo!”

But Caterina was dismayed. She had never left the house except for those few times in the evening with signora Teta walking through the fields; she hadn’t seen anyone new for a long time … and now she was supposed to go to her uncle’s house to meet a man … to meet him and then … No! No!

Seeing her favorite niece’s future in a happy light now, Aunt Fifi insisted. And when signora Teta was informed about it she got very excited just like when she felt there was some good to be done.

“You’re saying no? You silly little girl! Do you realize that you’re going there to meet the Pavonetti? It will be as if the others don’t know about it. Do you understand? What’s more natural than visiting your aunt and uncle? Him? Oh, he’ll think you don’t know anything…. The living room? Yes, why? You can’t meet in the living room? What nonsense…. Come on now, be good. Start thinking of making yourself beautiful for tomorrow night.”