She will not accept Don Giovanni Saracinesca's devotion, but she effectually prevents him from fulfilling his engagements to others." If Corona had been in her ordinary mood, she would very likely have laughed at the anonymous communication.

She had formerly received more than one passionate declaration, not signed indeed, but accompanied always by some clue to the identity of the writer, and she had carelessly thrown them into the fire.

But there was no such indication here whereby she might discover who it was who had undertaken to criticise her, to cast upon her so unjust an accusation.

Moreover, she was very angry and altogether thrown out of her usually calm humour.

Her first impulse was to go to her husband, and in the strength of her innocence to show him the letter.