He was indeed annoyed, more by the embrace than by the protest, and, remembering, he also crimsoned and maintained that in Noemi's place Maria herself would have denied everything.

Maria was silent, and left the study, importunate tears welling up in her eyes.

At first Giovanni was glad he had repulsed this offensive tenderness, and he began the note to Don Clemente.

Before he had finished it, however, his irritation had turned to remorse, and he rose and went in search of his wife.

She was in the corridor, speaking in low tones to Noemi.