Giovanni tenderly kissed his wife and then they softly left the
room. As soon as they were outside Sant' Ilario's thoughts
returned to Faustina.
"She was certainly not in the drawing-room," he said, "I am quite
sure. It was her mother who asked for her and everybody heard the
question. I dare not go back without her."
They stopped together in the corridor, looking at each other with
grave faces.
"This is very serious," said Corona. "We must search the house.
Send the men. I will tell the women. We will meet at the head of
the stairs."
Five minutes later, Giovanni returned in pursuit of his wife.
"She has left the house," he said, breathlessly. "The porter saw
her go out."
"Good Heavens! Why did he not stop her?" cried Corona.
"Because he is a fool!" answered Sant' Ilario, very pale in his
anxiety. "She must have lost her head and gone home. I will tell
her mother."
When it was known in the drawing-room that Donna Faustina
Montevarchi had left the palace alone and on foot every one was
horrorstruck. The princess turned as white as death, though she
was usually very red in the face. She was a brave woman, however,
and did not waste words.
"I must go home at once," said she. "Please order my carriage and
have the gates opened.
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