Could it be love that he felt?
And if not, as her heart told her it was not, what was his object in playing such a comedy?
She knew well enough, from Teresina, that many a young Neapolitan nobleman would have given his title for her fortune, but Teresina, perhaps for reasons of her own, never dared to cast such an aspersion upon San Miniato, even in the intimate conversation which sometimes takes place between an Italian lady and her maid--and, indeed, if the truth be told, between maids and their mistresses in most parts of the world.
But the doubt thrust itself forward now.

Beatrice was quick to doubt at all times.

She was also capricious and changeable about matters which did not affect her deeply, and those that did were few enough.

It was certainly possible that San Miniato, after all, only wanted her money and that her mother was willing to give it in return for a great name and a great position.

She felt that if the case had been stated to her from the first in its true light she might have accepted the situation without illusion, but without disgust.