It was perhaps the greatest triumph she could have attained, though she never thought of it in that light; but though she could not respect her husband very much, she could not think unkindly of him--for, as she said, he was very good to her.

She often reproached herself because he wearied her; she believed that she should have taken more pleasure in his admiration.
"I cannot help being good to you, my angel," he said.

"How could I be otherwise?
Do I not love you most passionately ?" "Indeed, I think so," Corona answered.

As she spoke there was a knock at the door.

Her heart leaped wildly, and she turned a little pale.
"The devil seize these visitors!" muttered old Astrardente, annoyed beyond measure at being interrupted when making love to his wife.