She laughed softly to herself out of the pure happiness of her mood.

The camp of Gian Maria became a subject for her scorn.

What should his might avail whilst she had such a champion to defend her now and hereafter?
There was an irony in that siege on which her fancy fastened.

By coming thus in arms against her Gian Maria sought to win her for his wife; yet all that he had accomplished was to place her in the arms of the one man whom she had learnt to love by virtue of this very siege.

The mellow warmth of the night, the ambient perfume of the fields were well-sorted to her mood, and the faint breeze that breathed caressingly upon her cheek seemed to re-echo the melodies her heart was giving forth.