Princess Saracinesca! Eh, but how it sounds!
Almost as good as Orsini, and much nicer with you, you great big,
splendid lion! Why did they not call you Leone? It is too good to
be true! And I always hated Corona, ever since I was a little girl
and she was the Astrardente, because she used to say I did not
behave well and that Faustina was much prettier--I heard her say
so when I was behind the curtains. Why did you not find it out
ever so long ago? Think what a wedding we should have had, just
like Sant' Ilario's! But it was very fine after all, and of course
there is nothing to complain of. Evviva! Evviva! Do give me one of
those cigarettes--I never smoked in my life, and I am so happy
that I know it will not hurt me!"
San Giacinto had his case in his hand, and laughed as he presented
it to her. Quiet as he was in his manner he was far the happier of
the two, as he was far more capable of profound feeling than the
wild girl who was now his wife. He was glad, too, to see that she
was so thoroughly delighted, for he knew well enough that even
after he had gained the suit he would need the support of an
ambitious woman to strengthen his position. He did not believe
that the Saracinesca would submit tamely to such a tremendous
shock of fortune, and he foresaw that their resentment would
probably be shared by a great number of their friends.
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