"And charm is the same thing in a woman.

One is never tired of it, and yet it is not honesty, nor beauty, nor economy." "I understand, Excellency--e la femmina--it is the womanly." "Bravo, Ruggiero!" exclaimed Beatrice again.

"You are a man of heart.
And if you found a woman who was honest and beautiful and economical and 'femmina,' as you say, would you love her ?" "Yes, Excellency, very much," answered Ruggiero.

But his voice almost failed him.
"How much?
Tell us." Ruggiero was silent a moment.

Then his eyes flashed suddenly as he looked down at her and his voice came ringing and strong.
"So much that I would pray that Christ and the sea would take her, rather than that another man should get her! Per Dio!" There was such a vibration of strong passion in the words that Beatrice started a little and San Miniato looked up in surprise.