You will not allow her to ruin both our lives, will you ?' 'What sort of help do you want from me ?' asked the tall churchman, bending his eyes to the energetic young face.
'The simplest thing in the world!' Giovanni answered.

'We were engaged to be married when I left with that ill-fated expedition.

She thought me dead.

She must be released from her vows at once! That is all.' 'It is out of the question,' answered Monsignor Saracinesca, with supernal calm.
'Out of the question ?' Giovanni frowned angrily.

'Do you mean that it cannot be done?
But it is only common justice! She is as much my wife as if you had married us and I had left her at the altar to go to Africa! You cannot be in earnest!' 'I am.