When she was gone the three looked at each other, as though trying to comprehend what had happened.  Indeed, it was beyond their comprehension.  Corona leaned against the chimneypiece, and her eyes rested lovingly upon Giovanni.  No doubt had ever crossed her mind of his perfect honesty.  Old Saracinesca looked from one to the other for a moment, and then, striking the palms of his hands together, turned and began to walk up and down the room.

“In the first place,” said Giovanni, “at the time she mentions I was in Canada, upon a shooting expedition, with a party of Englishmen.  It is easy to prove that, as they are all alive and well now, so far as I have heard.  Donna Tullia is clearly out of her mind.”

“The news of your engagement has driven her mad,” said the old Prince, with a grim laugh.  “It is a very interesting and romantic case.”

Corona blushed a little, and her eyes sought Giovanni’s, but her face was very grave.  It was a terrible thing to see a person she had known so long becoming insane, and for the sake of the man she herself so loved.  And yet she had not a doubt of Donna Tullia’s madness.  It was very sad.

“I wonder who could have put this idea into her head,” said Giovanni, thoughtfully.  “It does not look like a creation of her own brain.  I wonder, too, what absurdities she will produce in the way of documents.  Of course they must be forged.”

“She will not bring them,” returned his father, in a tone of certainty.  “We shall hear to-morrow that she is raving in the delirium of a brain-fever.”

“Poor thing!” exclaimed Corona.  “It is dreadful to think of it.”

“It is dreadful to think that she should have caused you all this trouble and annoyance,” said Giovanni, warmly.  “You must have had a terrible scene with her before we came.  What did she say?”

“Just what she said to you.  Then she began to rail against you; and I sent for you, and told her that unless she could be silent I would lock her up alone until you arrived.  So she sat down in that chair, and pretended to read.  But it was an immense relief when you came!”

“You did not once believe what she said might possibly be true?” asked Giovanni, with a loving look.

“I?  How could you ever think it!” exclaimed Corona.  Then she laughed, and added, “But of course you knew that I would not.”

“Indeed, yes,” he answered.  “It never entered my head.”

“By-the-bye,” said old Saracinesca, glancing at the Duchessa’s black bonnet and gloved hands, “you must have been just ready to go out when she came—­we must not keep you.  I suppose that when she said she would bring her proofs to-morrow at this hour, she meant she would bring them here.  Shall we come to-morrow then?”

“Yes—­by all means,” she answered.  “Come to breakfast at one o’clock.  I am alone, you know, for Sister Gabrielle has insisted upon going back to her community.  But what does it matter now?”