’Nothing.  But what do you think will be said of you?  A young girl alone in the house of a family she does not know!’

’Oh, Edoardo, you kill me!  Explain yourself more clearly.  This a house I do not know?  Am I not to be mistress in this house?  Am I not to be your wife?’

’But without any previous announcement of your coming, it would not be well if my father were to find you here so unexpectedly.  I think it would be better if you were to lodge, at least for a very short while, in an inn.’

’Your father!  But am I not rich enough for him?  This is a fearful mystery.  Explain it, if you do not wish me to die.’

This conversation was interrupted by the entrance of a servant, saying:  ’Signor Edoardo, your bride requests you to pass into her apartment for a moment.’

Sophia had strength to command herself until the man was gone away.  She then threw, or rather let herself fall into a chair, covering her face with her hands, crying:  ’His bride! his bride!  Is it true?  Is it not a dream?  For mercy’s sake, if you have the heart of a man, tell me that it is false, that I have not heard rightly.  For pity’s sake answer me—­answer me or kill me.’

’It is too true, Sophia; it was my father’s will.  In a little time I am to give my hand to another woman.’

’Oh, merciful Heaven!  I have heard these words, and live.  Oh, my poor life!  But it cannot be:  it is not true:  you are not yet married:  there is still time.  Go—­fly to the feet of your father, tell him you do not love that woman—­that you love me, me only; that you have loved me for six years!’

’Impossible, Sophia; things have already gone too far.  She is a princess—­one of the first families of Florence.  It breaks my heart, but it is impossible.’

‘What matters her rank, her relatives, if you do not love her?’

‘And if I did love her?’ said Edoardo, wavering, rather to see whether it would be a means of ridding him of Sophia than expressing the sincere feeling of his heart.

’If you did love her? oh, then, you would he the most infamous of men—­you would he a monster.  But no; you cannot have forgotten your vows; you cannot have forgotten all your words, our life of six years.’  Then rising, and throwing herself on her knees:  ’Oh!  Forgive me, Edoardo; forgive my words.  I rave; I know not what I say!  Tell me that you have only wished to put my affection to the proof—­that you love no other woman—­none but me alone!  Oh, do not drive me from this house, Edoardo; do not give yourself to another woman!’

’Sophia, if I could help it, do you think I would make you weep thus?’

‘If you could help it?  What prevents you?  Nothing—­nothing.’

‘Honour, Sophia.’

’Honour!  Where was your honour if you have forgotten all your sacred promises—­if you have perjured yourself?’

’Sophia, Sophia, pity me.  Do not make me the talk of all Venice.  I am the most infamous of men; but I can do nothing for you.  Now I will confess to you the whole truth—­a truth I had not the heart to tell you before.  That woman is already my wife; I have married her by civil contract; and the ceremony that is about to be performed presently is a mere formality.  Sophia, forgive me if you can—­forgive me, and depart.’