Giovanni and Corona went silently up the staircase together, and on into a small apartment which in that cold season they had set apart as a sitting-room.

When they were alone, Corona laid her hands upon Giovanni's shoulders and gazed long into his angry eyes.

Then she threw her arms round his neck and drew him to her.
"My beloved," she cried, proudly, "you are all I thought--and more too." "Do not say that," answered Giovanni.

"I would not have lifted a finger to save that hound, but for you." "Ah, but you did it, dear, all the same," she said, and kissed him.
On the following evening, without any warning, old Saracinesca arrived, and was warmly greeted.

After dinner Giovanni told him the story of Del Ferice's escape.