"No one, upon my word."
"Then how dare you—"
"Because I have reason to believe that you are the only woman alive for whom my son would engage in a quarrel."
"It is impossible," cried Corona. "I will never believe that Don Giovanni could—" She checked herself.
"Don Giovanni Saracinesca is a gentleman, madam," said the old Prince, proudly. "He keeps his own counsel. I have come by the information without any evidence of it from his lips."
"Then I am at a loss to understand you," returned the Duchessa. "I must beg you either to explain your extraordinary language, or else to leave me."
Corona d'Astrardente was a match for any man when she was angry. But old Saracinesca, though no diplomatist, was a formidable adversary, from his boldness and determination to discover the truth at any price.
"It is precisely because, at the risk of offending you, I desired an explanation, that I have intruded myself upon you to-day," he answered. "Will you permit me one question before I leave you?"
"Provided it is not an insulting one, I will answer it," replied Corona.
"Do you know anything of the circumstances which led to this morning's encounter?"