She was destined to pass an eventful day, it seemed.  One of the letters was from Giovanni Saracinesca.  It was the first time he had ever written to her, and she was greatly surprised on finding his name at the foot of the page.  He wrote a strong clear handwriting, entirely without adornment of penmanship, close and regular and straight:  there was an air of determination about it which was sympathetic, and a conciseness of expression which startled Corona, as though she had heard the man himself speaking to her.

“I write, dear Duchessa, because I covet your good opinion, and my motive is therefore before all things an interested one.  I would not have you think that I had idly asked your advice about a thing so important to me as my marriage, in order to discard your counsel at the first opportunity.  There was too much reason in the view you took of the matter to admit of my not giving your opinion all the weight I could, even if I had not already determined upon the very course you advised.  Circumstances have occurred, however, which have almost induced me to change my mind.  I have had an interview with my father, who has put the matter very plainly before me.  I hardly know how to tell you this, but I feel that I owe it to you to explain myself, however much you may despise me for what I am going to say.  It is very simple, nevertheless.  My father has informed me that by my conduct I have caused my name to be coupled in the mouth of the gossips with that of a person very dear to me, but whom I am unfortunately prevented from marrying.  He has convinced me that I owe to this lady, who, I confess, takes no interest whatever in me, the only reparation possible to be made—­that of taking a wife, and thus publicly demonstrating that there was never any truth in what has been said.  As a marriage will probably be forced upon me some day, it is as well to let things take their course at once, in order that a step so disagreeable to myself may at least distantly profit one whom I love in removing me from the appearance of being a factor in her life.  The gossip about me has never reached your ears, but if it should, you will be the better able to understand my position.

“Do not think, therefore, that if I do not follow your advice I am altogether inconsistent, or that I wantonly presumed to consult you without any intention of being guided by you.  Forgive me also this letter, which I am impelled to write from somewhat mean motives of vanity, in the hope of not altogether forfeiting your opinion; and especially I beg you to believe that I am at all times the most obedient of your servants,

“GIOVANNI SARACINESCA.”

Of what use was it that she had that morning determined to forget Giovanni, since he had the power of thus bringing himself before her by means of a scrap of paper?  Corona’s hand closed upon the letter convulsively, and for a moment the room seemed to swim around her.