He liked to manage things himself, being a man of detail.
And now she was enormously rich, and alone.

It was a strange sensation.
She felt it to be so new that she innocently said so to the lawyer.
"What shall I do with it all ?" "Signora Duchessa," returned the old man, "with regard to money the question is, not what to do with it, but how to do without it.

You are very young, Signora Duchessa." "I shall be twenty-three in August," said Corona, simply.
"Precisely.

I would beg to be allowed to observe that by the terms of the will, and by the laws of this country, you are not the dowager-duchess, but you are in your own right and person the sole and only feudal mistress and holder of the title." "Am I ?" "Certainly, with all the privileges thereto attached.

It may be--I beg pardon for being so bold as to suggest it--it may be that in years to come, when time has soothed your sorrow, you may wish, you may consent, to renew the marriage tie." "I doubt it--but the thing is possible," said Corona, quietly.
"In that case, and should you prefer to contract a marriage of inclination, you will have no difficulty in conferring your title upon your husband, with any reservations you please.