Then Giovanni had reminded her, gently and gravely, that error harboured unconsciously, in the sincere and pure desire of truth, is innocent in the eyes of God, but that if a sentiment foreign to that desire have any part in the repulsion of truth, then sin alone is the outcome.

This argument wounded Noemi more deeply still.

She had been on the point of asking her brother-in-law by what right he was acting as vice-divine judge.

She controlled herself, however, and let the discussion drop.
Upon thinking it over afterwards, she regretted her sullen silence, not so much because Giovanni's words had affected her views, as because she was aware of the sorrow the religious opinions he professed brought him, and because she saw how depressed his spirits were.

This was one reason why--when she was called to him, and entreated by her sister to show him much affection--she resolved, for once, to be unfaithful to Jeanne.