Del Ferice, who had noticed as soon as he entered the room that something was wrong, and had already half guessed the cause, affected to spring back in horror when she refused to give her hand.

His pale face expressed sufficiently well a mixture of indignation and sorrow at the harsh treatment he received.

Still Donna Tullia's cold eye rested upon him in a fixed stare.
"What is this?
What have I done ?" asked Del Ferice in low tones.
"Can you ask?
Wretch! Read that, and understand what you have done," answered Donna Tullia, making a step forward and thrusting Saracinesca's letter in his face.
Del Ferice had already seen the handwriting, and knew what the contents were likely to be.

He took the letter in one hand, and without looking at it, still faced the angry woman.

His brows contracted into a heavy frown, and his half-closed eyes gazed menacingly at her.
"It will be an evil day for any man who comes between you and me," he said, in tragic tones.
Donna Tullia laughed harshly, and again drew herself up, watching his face, and expecting to witness his utter confusion.