People had repeated his hints, as he intended they should, with the illuminating wit peculiar to tale-bearers, and the story had gone abroad accordingly.

True, there was not a man in Rome bold enough to allude to the matter in Giovanni's presence, even if any one had seen any advantage in so doing; but such things do not remain hidden.

His own father had told him in a fit of anger, and the blow had produced its effect.
Giovanni sat down in a deep easy-chair in his own room, and thought over the situation.

His first impulse had been to be furiously angry with his father; but the latter having instantly explained that there was nothing to be said against the Duchessa, Giovanni's anger against the Prince had turned against himself.

It was bitter to think that all his self-denial, all his many and prolonged efforts to conceal his love, had been of no avail.