Madame Mayer did not profess to be very devout.

As a matter of fact, she had not found it convenient to go to confession during the Christmas season, and she had been intending to make up for the deficiency for some time past; but it is improbable that she would have decided upon fulfilling her religious obligations before Lent if she had not chanced to see the Duchessa d'Astrardente's carriage standing at the foot of the church steps.
Donna Tullia had risen early because she was going to sit for her portrait to a young artist who lived in the neighbourhood of the Piazza Barberini, and as she passed in her brougham she caught sight of the Duchessa's liveries.

The artist could wait half an hour: the opportunity was admirable.

She was alone, and would not only do her duty in going to confession, but would have a chance of seeing how Corona looked when she had been at her devotions.

It might also be possible to judge from Padre Filippo's manner whether the interview had been an interesting one.