The overprudish woman betrays herself; the fine lady who virtuously shudders at the sight of a nude statue or picture, announces at once to all whom it may concern that there is something far coarser in the suggestions of her own mind than the work of art she condemns.

Absolute purity has no fear of social slander; it knows its own value, and that it must conquer in the end.
My wife--alas! that I should call her so--was innately vicious and false; yet how particular she was in her efforts to secure the blind world's good opinion! Poor old world! how exquisitely it is fooled, and how good-naturedly it accepts its fooling! But I had to answer the fair liar, whose net of graceful deceptions was now spread to entrap me, therefore I said with an effort of courtesy: "No one would dare to slander you, contessa, in my presence." She bowed and smiled prettily.

"But," I went on, "if it is true that you have no liking for Signer Ferrari--" "It is true!" she exclaimed with sudden emphasis.

"He is rough and ill-mannered; I have seen him the worse for wine, sometimes he is insufferable! I am afraid of him!" I glanced at her quietly.

Her face had paled, and her hands, which were busied with some silken embroidery, trembled a little.
"In that case," I continued, slowly, "though I am sorry for Ferrari, poor fellow! he will be immensely disappointed! I confess I am glad in other respects, because--" "Because what ?" she demanded, eagerly.