By the bye, I wonder why
he does not come back. I would like to hear the news."
"The cardinal may have kept him to breakfast."
"Since seven o'clock this morning? That is impossible. Unless his
Eminence has arrested him on charge of the murder." The old
gentleman laughed gruffly, little guessing how near his jest lay
to the truth. But Corona looked up quickly. The mere idea of such
a horrible contingency was painful to her, absurd and wildly
improbable as it appeared.
"I was going to ask him to go up to Saracinesca to-morrow and see
to the changes," continued the prince.
"Must it be so soon?" asked Corona regretfully. "Is it absolutely
decided? Have you not yielded too easily?"
"I cannot go over all the arguments again." returned her father-
in-law with some impatience. "There is no doubt about it. I
expended all my coolness and civility on San Giacinto when he came
to see me about it. It is of no use to complain, and we cannot
draw back. I suppose I might go down on my knees to the Pope and
ask his Holiness for another title--for the privilege of being
called something, Principe di Cavolfiore, if you like. But I will
not do it. I will die as Leone Saracinesca. You can give Giovanni
your old title, if you please--it is yours to give.
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