"Oh, Faustina, how unkind you are!" cried Flavia in great astonishment and some anger. "I am sure I loved poor papa as much as any of you, and perhaps a great deal better. We were always such good friends!"
Faustina raised her eyebrows a little and looked at Corona as though to say that her sister was hopeless, and for some minutes no one spoke.
"You are quite rested now?" asked Corona at last, turning to the young girl. "Poor child! what you must have suffered!"
"It is strange, but I am not tired. I slept, you know, for I was worn out."
"Faustina's grief did not keep her awake," observed Flavia, willing to say something disagreeable.
"I only came to see how you were," said Corona, who did not care to prolong the interview. "I hope to hear that your mother is better to-morrow. I met Saracinesca as I came in, but I did not ask him."
"Your father-in-law?" asked Faustina innocently. "I did not know he had been here."
"No; your husband, my dear," answered Corona, looking at Flavia as she spoke. She was curious to see what effect the change had produced upon her. Flavia's cheeks flushed quickly, evidently with pleasure, if also with some embarrassment. But Corona was calm and unmoved as usual.
"I did not know you already called him so," said Flavia. "How strange it will be!"
"We shall soon get used to it," replied Corona, with a smile, as she rose to go. "I wish you many years of happiness with your new name. Good-bye." Faustina went with her into one of the outer rooms.