He had made Signora Dessalle's acquaintance at her villa in the Veneto--the villa containing the frescoes by Tiepolo--and had recently seen her in Rome.
Her brother, Signor Carlino Dessalle, had remained in Florence.

She and Signorina d'Arxel, wishing to surprise the Selvas, had forbidden him to tell.

The name Dessalle recalled to Selva's mind in a flash what he had not at first remembered--the presence of Don Clemente, the suspicion that he was this woman's missing lover, and the necessity of preventing a meeting, which might prove terrible to both.

He was, of course, unaware of the conversation which had taken place between his wife and the Padre.

In the meantime they heard Maria hastening down the path, and then joyous exclamations and greetings.