'My father and mother not married?
It is impossible, it is monstrous----' 'Not "legally" married, I said,' replied the Princess.

'To be legally married, it is absolutely necessary to go before the mayor at the Capitol and have the civil ceremony properly performed.

Am I right ?' she asked, turning suddenly to the lawyer.

'It is absolutely necessary, is it not ?' 'Absolutely, Excellency,' the legal adviser answered.

'Otherwise the children of the marriage are not legitimate.' 'What does that mean ?' asked Angela in a frightened tone.
'It means,' explained the Princess, 'that in the eyes of the law you do not exist----' Angela tried to laugh.
'But I do exist! Here I am, Angela Chiaromonte, to say that I am alive!' 'Angela, but not Chiaromonte,' corrected the Princess, hardly able to hide her satisfaction.