"That is not a long time." "Should you prefer two years ?" inquired Beroviero with increasing annoyance.

Marietta slipped from the table to her feet.
"It depends on the bridegroom," she answered.

"Perhaps I may prefer to wait a lifetime!" She moved towards the door.
"Oh, you shall be satisfied with the bridegroom! I promise you that." The old man looked after her.

At the door she turned her head, smiling.
"I may be hard to please," she said quietly, and she went out into the garden.
When she was gone Beroviero shut the window carefully, and though the round bull's-eye panes let in the light plentifully, they effectually prevented any one from seeing into the room.

The door was already closed.
"You should have been more careful," he said to Zorzi in a tone of reproach.