“Do you suppose I am going to fix the wedding-day without consulting her?” asked the old man.  “For heaven’s sake order dinner, and let us be quick about it.”

The Prince was evidently in a hurry, and moreover, he was tired and very hungry.  An hour later, as both the men sat over the coffee in the dining-room, his mood was mellower.  A dinner at home has a wonderful effect upon the temper of a man who has travelled and fared badly for eight-and-forty hours.

“Giovannino,” said old Saracinesca, “have you any idea what the Cardinal thinks of your marriage?”

“No; and I do not care,” answered the younger man.  “He once advised me not to marry Donna Tullia.  He has not seen me often since then.”

“I have an idea that it will please him immensely,” said the Prince.

“It would be very much the same if it displeased him.”

“Very much the same.  Have you seen Corona today?”

“Yes—­of course,” answered Giovanni.

“What is the use of my going with you this evening?” asked his father, suddenly.  “I should think you could manage your own affairs without my help.”

“I thought that as you have taken so much trouble, you would enjoy telling her the story yourself.”

“Do you think I am a vain fool, sir, to be amused by a woman’s praise?  Nonsense!  Go yourself.”

“By all means,” answered Giovanni.  He was used to his father’s habit of being quarrelsome over trifles, and he was much too happy to take any notice of it now.

“You are tired,” he continued.  “I am sure you have a right to be.  You must want to go to bed.”

“To bed indeed!” growled the old man.  “Tired!  You think I am good for nothing; I know you do.  You look upon me as a doting old cripple.  I tell you, boy, I can—­”

“For heaven’s sake, padre mio, do precisely as you are inclined.  I never said—­”

“Never said what?  Why are you always quarrelling with me?” roared his father, who had not lost his temper for two days, and missed his favourite exercise.

“What day shall we fix upon?” asked Giovanni, unmoved.

“Day!  Any day.  What do I care?  Oh!—­well, since you speak of it, you might say a week from Sunday.  To-day is Friday.  But I do not care in the least.”

“Very well—­if Corona can get ready.”

“She shall be ready—­she must be ready!” answered the old gentleman, in a tone of conviction.  “Why should she not be ready, I would like to know?”

“No reason whatever,” said Giovanni, with unusual mildness.

“Of course not.  There is never any reason in anything you say, you unreasonable boy.”

“Never, of course.”  Giovanni rose to go, biting his lips to keep down a laugh.

“What the devil do you mean by always agreeing with me, you impertinent scapegrace?  And you are laughing, too—­laughing at me, sir, as I live!  Upon my word!”

Giovanni turned his back and lighted a cigar.  Then, without looking round, he walked towards the door.