Marchese di San Giacinto,' in the most correct manner. He wears an
excellent coat, and announces his intention of being presented to
the Pope and introduced to Roman society."

Sant' Ilario stared incredulously at his father, and then looked
inquiringly at his wife as though to ask if it were not all a
jest. When he was assured that the facts were true he looked grave
and slowly stroked his pointed black beard, a gesture which was
very unusual with him, and always accompanied the deepest
meditation.

"There is nothing to be done but to receive him into the family,"
he said at last. "But I do not wholly believe in his good
intentions. We shall see. I shall be glad to make his
acquaintance."

"He is coming to dinner."

The conversation continued for some time and the arrival of San
Giacinto was discussed in all its bearings. Corona took a very
practical view of the question, and said that it was certainly
best to treat him well, thereby relieving her father-in-law of a
considerable anxiety. He had indeed feared lest she should resent
the introduction of a man who might reasonably be supposed to have
retained a certain coarseness of manner from his early
surroundings, and he knew that her consent was all-important in
such a case, since she was virtually the mistress of the house.
But Corona regarded the matter in much the same light as the old
gentleman himself, feeling that nothing of such a nature could
possibly injure the imposing position of her husband's family, and