He cared little what became of Giovanni--whether he was able to refute the evidence brought against him or not.

There had been nothing in the matter which was dishonest, and properly made out marriage-certificates are not easy things to annul.

Giovanni might swim or sink--it was nothing to Ugo del Ferice, now that he had gained the great object of his life, and was at liberty to publish his engagement to Donna Tullia Mayer.

He lost no time in telling his friends the good news, and before the evening was over a hundred people had congratulated him.

Donna Tullia, too, appeared in more than usually gay attire, and smilingly received the expressions of good wishes which were showered upon her.