But if I am a faithless wife to him, I will lay all my sins at your door." "Beatrice!" cried the Marchesa, in real horror this time.

She crossed herself.
"I am young--shall I not love ?" asked the young girl defiantly.
"Dearest child, for the love of Heaven do not talk so--" "No--I will not.

I will never say it again--and you will not forget it." She turned to leave the terrace and met San Miniato face to face.
"Good morning," she said coldly, and passed him.
"Of course you have telegraphed the news of the engagement to your sister ?" said the Marchesa as soon as she saw him, and making a sign to intimate that he must answer in the affirmative.
"Of course--and to all my best friends," he replied promptly with a ready smile.

Beatrice heard his answer just as she passed through the door, but she did not turn her head.

She guessed that her mother had asked the question in haste in order that San Miniato might say something which should definitely prove to Beatrice that he considered himself betrothed.