"I can
leave you the title and yet take one which will serve as well You
would call yourself Prince Saracinesca and I should be Saracinesca
di San Giacinto. As for the palace and the place in the mountains,
they are so insignificant as compared with the rest that it could
not hurt your self-respect to live in them. Can you not persuade
your father?" He turned to Giovanni who had not spoken yet.
"You are very good to make the proposal," he answered. "I cannot
say more than that. I agree with my father."
A silence followed which lasted several minutes. Corona looked
from one to the other of the three men, wondering how the matter
would end. She understood both parties better than they understood
each other. She sympathised with the refusal of her husband and
his father. To accept such an offer would put them in a position
of obligation towards San Giacinto which she knew they could never
endure, and which would be galling to herself. On the other hand
she felt sorry for their cousin, who was evidently trying to do
what he felt was right and generous, and was disappointed that his
advances should be repelled. He was very much in earnest, or he
would not have gone so far as to suggest that it would be a favour
to him if they took what he offered.
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