She had no proof that the peasant wife mentioned in the certificate was alive, but there was nothing either to show that she was dead.

Even in the latter ease it was a scandalous thing that he should marry again without informing Corona of the circumstances of his past life, and Donna Tullia felt an inner conviction that he had told the Duchessa nothing of the matter.

The latter was such a proud woman, that she would be horrified at the idea of uniting herself to a man who had been the husband of a peasant.
Madame Mayer remembered her solemn promise to Del Ferice, and feared to act without his consent.

An hour after she had heard the news of the engagement, she sent for him to come to her immediately.

To her astonishment and dismay, her servant brought back word that he had suddenly gone to Naples upon urgent business.