The gossip about me has never reached your ears, but if it should, you will be the better able to understand my position.
"Do not think, therefore, that if I do not follow your advice I am altogether inconsistent, or that I wantonly presumed to consult you without any intention of being guided by you.

Forgive me also this letter, which I am impelled to write from somewhat mean motives of vanity, in the hope of not altogether forfeiting your opinion; and especially I beg you to believe that I am at all times the most obedient of your servants, "GIOVANNI SARACINESCA." Of what use was it that she had that morning determined to forget Giovanni, since he had the power of thus bringing himself before her by means of a scrap of paper?
Corona's hand closed upon the letter convulsively, and for a moment the room seemed to swim around her.
So there was some one whom he loved, some one for whose fair name he was willing to sacrifice himself even to the extent of marrying against his will.

Some one, too, who not only did not love him, but took no interest whatever in him.

Those were his own words, and they must be true, for he never lied.

That accounted for his accompanying Donna Tullia to the picnic.