"My son has no wife."
Leone drew the glove from her left hand, holding it before my lady's eyes.
"Will you look at my wedding-ring?" she asked.
A scornful smile played round my lady's lips.
"I see a ring," she said, "but not a wedding-ring. There can be no wedding-ring where there is no marriage."
"Do you believe that marriages are known in Heaven?" Leone asked. "Do you believe that if a marriage had been contracted in the presence of Heaven, witnessed by the angels, do you suppose that a mere legal quibble can set it aside?"
"You choose your arguments badly," said the countess. "If you appeal to Heaven, so can I. One of the greatest commandments given from there says, 'Children, obey your parents.' My son is commanded by a divine voice to obey me, and I forbid him to marry until he is of age."
"You have not the power!" cried Leone.
"You are mistaken; not only the power is mine, but I have used it. The foolish ceremony you choose to call your marriage is already set aside."
Leone drew one step nearer to her with flashing eyes.