Why should she like Giovanni Saracinesca, for instance?
"I do not know what the world would be like if we had no likes and dislikes," said Giovanni, suddenly.

"It would be a poor place; perhaps it is only a poor place at best.

I merely wondered whether Del Ferice amused you as he amuses everybody." "Well then, frankly, he has not amused me to-day," answered Corona, with a smile.
"Then you are glad he is gone ?" "I do not regret it." "Duchessa," said Giovanni, suddenly changing his position, "I am glad he is gone, because I want to ask you a question.

Do I know you well enough to ask you a question ?" "It depends--" Corona felt the blood rise suddenly to her dark forehead.
Her hands burned intensely in her gloves.

The anticipation of something she had never heard made her heart beat uncontrollably in her breast.
"It is only about myself," continued Giovanni, in low tones.