What was the meaning of her wish to have Don Clemente warned?
Maria read in her husband's thoughts something which displeased her, something she did not wish him to utter, "You had better write the letter to Don Clemente," she said.
But Giovanni, before writing, wished to free his mind.

There seemed to be only one explanation possible: Don Clemente was really the man.

Noemi had promised Signora Dessalle not to say so, but she nevertheless wished to prevent a meeting.

Maria exclaimed with some heat: "Oh! Noemi does not tell lies!" and then, crimsoning and smiling, she embraced her husband as if fearful of having offended him.

For, once, she had offended him by some thoughtless words concerning the lack of truthfulness in Italians, and now perhaps her exclamation might have the effect of recalling the shadow of that cloud.