During her short visit at Subiaco she had met her former lover.

An exclamation from Giovanni! Then it was Don Clemente, after all?
No, it was the man who came to the villa with the Padre the night of Jeanne's arrival, the under-gardener from Santa Scolastica--he who was no longer at the monastery--of whom all the valley of the Anio was talking, and who was known, even at Rome, as the "Saint of Jenne." Noemi begged them to forgive her for not having told them at the time.

Woe to her if Jeanne had discovered her breach of confidence, after her many admonitions.

Besides it would have done no good.

Giovanni took his wife's hand almost stealthily, and raised it to his lips, Maria understood, and smiled.