midday
What more could any man ask , if he could not be loved , than to give his soul and his body for such a good and just end ? Perhaps Ruggiero 's way of looking at the present and future state might have puzzled more than one theologian on that particular afternoon . While Ruggiero was deciding matters of life and death in his own way , with absolute certainty of carrying out his intentions , matters were not proceeding smoothly on the Marchesa 's terrace . The midday breakfast had passed off fairly well , though Beatrice had again grown silent , and the conversation was carried on by San Miniato with a little languid help from the Marchesa . The latter was apparently neither disturbed nor out of humour in consequence of the little scene which had taken place in the morning . She took a certain amount of opposition on Beatrice 's part as a matter of course , and was prepared to be very long-suffering with the girl 's moods , partly because it was less trouble than to do battle with her , and partly because it was really wiser . Beatrice must grow used to the idea of marriage and must be gradually accustomed to the daily companionship of San Miniato .