He told me that the Duca fell down dead of a stroke in the Signora Duchessa's room at half-past twelve to-day." "Is that all you could learn ?" asked the Prince.
"Except that the Signora Duchessa was overcome with grief," returned the servant, gravely.
"I should think so--her husband dead of an apoplexy! It is natural," said the Prince, looking at Giovanni.

The latter was silent, and tried to eat as though, nothing had happened--inwardly endeavouring not to rejoice too madly at the terrible catastrophe.

In his effort to control his features, the blood rushed to his forehead, and his hand trembled violently.

His father saw it, but made no remark.
"Poor Astrardente!" he said.

"He was not so bad as people thought him." "No," replied Giovanni, with a great effort; "he was a very good man." "I should hardly say that," returned his father, with a grim smile of amusement.