It was flattering to Donna Tullia's vanity to believe him, and his acts had certainly not belied his words.
He was by far the most thoughtful of all her admirers, and he affected to treat her always with a certain respect which she had never succeeded in obtaining from Valdarno and the rest.

A woman who likes to be noisy, but is conscious of being a little vulgar, is always flattered when a man behaves towards her with profound reverence.

It will even sometimes cure her of her vulgarity.

Donna Tullia reflected seriously upon what Del Ferice had said.
"I never had such a proposition made to me in my life," she said.

"Of course you cannot think I regard it as a possible one, even now.