At last he took another sheet of paper and tried
again.
"Dear Corona--When you get this, Faustina will be at liberty,
according to your wish. Do not be anxious if you do not see me for
a few days, as I am called away on urgent business. Tell my
father, and any of our friends who ask about me, that I am at
Saracinesca, superintending the removal of such effects as are not
to go to San Giacinto. I will let you know when I am coming
back--Your affectionate GIOVANNI."
He read the note over twice, and then folded it, addressing it to
his wife. His face expressed the most profound dejection when he
had finished his task, and for a long time he leaned back in his
chair, gazing at the morning sunlight that slowly crept across the
floor, while his hands lay folded passively upon the table. The
end of his love seemed very bitter as he thought of the words he
had written. A few weeks ago to leave Corona thus unexpectedly
would have caused her the greatest pain. Now, he felt that he need
say nothing, that it would be useless to say anything, more than
he had said. It was nothing to her, whether he stayed in Rome or
went to the ends of the earth; indeed, he suspected that she would
be glad to be left alone--unless she should discover why he had
gone, and whither.
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