He would save Corona from annoyance, and her name from the scandal-mongers; and if any one ever dared to mention the story-- Giovanni rose to his feet and mechanically took a fencing-foil from the wall, as he often did for practice.

If any one mentioned the story, he thought, he had the means to silence them, quickly and for ever.

His eyes flashed suddenly at the idea of action--any action, even fighting, which might be distantly connected with Corona.

Then he tossed down the rapier and threw himself into his chair, and sat quite still, staring at the trophies of armour upon the wall opposite.
He could not do it.

To wrong one woman for the sake of shielding another was not in his power.