Good-bye, then." "Good-bye; I am very grateful for your forgiveness." Giovanni bowed low, and Donna Tullia's brilliant equipage dashed away.
Giovanni was well satisfied at having made his peace so easily, but he nevertheless apprehended danger from Donna Tullia.
The next thing which interested Roman society was Astrardente's will, but no one was much surprised when the terms of it were known.

As there were no relations, everything was left to his wife.

The palace in Rome, the town and castle in the Sabines, the broad lands in the low hill-country towards Ceprano, and what surprised even the family lawyer, a goodly sum in solid English securities,--a splendid fortune in all, according to Roman ideas.

Astrardente abhorred the name of money in his conversation--it had been one of his affectations; but he had an excellent understanding of business, and was exceedingly methodical in the management of his affairs.

The inheritance, the lawer thought, might be estimated at three millions of scudi.
"Is all this wealth mine, then ?" asked Corona, when the solicitor had explained the situation.
"All, Signora Duchessa.