But the whole world in which she lived would not have felt it to be slander.

It would have been too much in the ordinary course of things.
How Paolina felt in the matter, Ludovico was made to understand on that evening which has been so often referred to; and the reader may gather from the conversation that passed between them.
Paolina had worked hard all day.

The mosaics in San Vitale were nearly finished.

Ludovico had been with her on her scaffolding during the few hours of light of the short afternoon.

He had become sensible that the intercourse between him and Paolina had latterly been growing to be less frank, unreserved, and easy than it had been.