My father was called Caraccioli, and he left me his name as my sole inheritance.

What may have been _his_ right to it, let my uncle say." "Speak, then, Signor Giuntotardi.

First give us the history of this _name_; then tell us what has brought you here." "Noble lady, my sister, as pious and innocent a woman as ever lived in Italy, and now blessed in heaven, married Don Francesco Caraccioli, the son of Don Francesco of that illustrious family, who now stands condemned to death for having led the fleet against the king; and Ghita here is the only fruit of the union.

It is true that the church did not authorize the connection which brought my niece's father into being; but the noble admiral never hesitated to acknowledge his son, and he gave him his name, until love bound him in wedlock with a poor scholar's sister.

Then, indeed, his father turned his face from him, and death soon removed both husband and wife from the reach of all earthly displeasure.