"Did you oppose any resistance to the marriage?"
"No; I was only too happy."
"The fact is, Lorenza," continued the count, taking her hand, "the princess thinks you were constrained to it."
"I hate you?" she said, shivering all over with delight. "Oh, no; I love you. You are good, generous and mighty."
Seized with affright, the princess recoiled to where an ivory crucifix gleamed on a black velvet background.
"Is this all your highness wishes to know?" asked Fenix, letting Lorenza's hand fall.
"Keep away!" gasped the abbess; "and she, too!"
A carriage was heard to stop before the nunnery door.
"The cardinal?" exclaimed the lady superior; "we shall see how things stand at last."
Fenix bowed, said a few words to the Italian woman, and waited with the calmness of one who directs events.