e me. She will probably
confess the truth.'

'She would be more likely to conceal it, since you have not the power to
use threats!'

'Possibly, but I doubt it. The woman is a coward, and if you speak
sharply she will be frightened. I do not like to think that when I am
out of the house and my man is out too, anybody may get in. You are not
safe in such conditions. Any ruffian who knew her story could force his
way to you! No, no, love--we must speak to her at once!'

He was already going towards the door, but Ortensia rose quickly and
overtook him before he could go out, catching him by the hand and
holding him back.

'You must hear me first,' she cried in great anxiety, leading him to a
seat beside her.

He had followed her without resistance, too much surprised to object. If
any reason for her action suggested itself it was that she wished to
spare Pina's feelings, probably out of affection for the nurse. But
Ortensia took one of his hands and pressed it against her eyes as she
began to speak, for she thought she had done something very wicked in
concealing from him that she had really seen Don Alberto.

'I do not know why Pina let him in,' she said in a low voice, as if
making a confession, 'but he found me there, in the next room, and he
had come on purpose to see me, and not you.'

She went on and told Stradella everything she could remember, which,
indeed, was most of the conversation, including Don Alberto's jesting
pretence that he had been acting.

'I did not want to make trouble,' Ortensia concluded tearfully. 'I meant
to tell you to-morrow--are you very angry? You can call Pina now, if you
like----'

Stradella had risen and was pacing the room, evidently in no very gentle
temper, though he was far too just to blame his wife for what had
happened. After a few moments Ortensia rose and went to him, and as he
stopped she laid her hands upon his shoulders, looking up into his eyes.

'You are angry with me,' she said very sorrowfully. 'I did the best I
could. He would not go away.'

Instantly he took her in his arms, lifted her clear of the floor, and
kissed her passionately, again and again; and at the very first touch of
his lips she understood, though she could almost feel his anger against
Altieri throbbing in the hands that held her.

'I have borne enough from that man,' he said, letting her stand on her
feet again, and he slipped his right arm round her waist, and made her
walk up and down wi