"
"He shall have it if he wants it. What does it matter? I can be
Donna Corona."
"Ay, what does it matter, provided we have peace? What does
anything matter in this unutterably ridiculous world--except your
happiness, poor child! Yes. Everything must be got ready. I will
not stay in this house another week."
"But in a week it will be impossible to do all there is to be
done!" exclaimed Corona, whose feminine mind foresaw infinite
difficulties in moving.
"Possible, or impossible, it must be accomplished. I have
appointed this day week for handing over the property. The lawyers
said, as you say, that it would need more time. I told them that
there was no time, and that if they could not do it, I would
employ some one else. They talked of sitting up all night--as if I
cared whether they lost their beauty sleep or not! A week from to-
day everything must be settled, so that I have not in my
possession a penny that does not belong to me."
"And then--what will you do?" asked Corona, who saw in spite of
his vehemence how much he was affected by the prospect.
"And then? What then? Live somewhere else, I suppose, and pray for
an easy death."
No one had ever heard Leone Saracinesca say before now that he
desired to die, and the wish seemed so contrary to the nature of
his character that Corona looked earnestly at him.
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