"You missed me then, Stephano?" said Mrs. Belswin, sinking wearily into a chair.
"Missed thee, carissima!" exclaimed the Italian, throwing himself on his knees before her and kissing her hand; "by this, and this, and this again, I swear that all has been dark to me without the light of thine eyes. But you will not leave me again, angela mia. Thou hast come back for ever to be my wife."
Mrs. Belswin drew her hand away sharply and frowned, for in her present irritable state of mind the exaggerated manner of Ferrari jarred on her nerves.
"Do be sensible, Stephano," she said in a vexed tone. "You are always acting."
"How can that be acting, cruel one, which is the truth?" replied Ferrari, reproachfully, rising from his knees. "Thou knowst my love, and yet when I speak you are cold. Eh, Donna Lucrezia, is your heart changed?"
"My heart remains as It always was, my friend; but I've come up to see you on business----"
"Oh, business!" interrupted Stephano, suspiciously. "Cospetto! You want once more to leave me."
"For a time; yes."
"Oh, for a time; yes!" echoed Ferrari, mockingly. "Amica mia, you have a strange way of speaking to him who adores you. Dio, you play with me like a child. I love you, and wish you for my wife. You say 'yes,' and depart for a time. Now return you to me and again say, 'Stephano, I leave you for a time.'"
"I made no promise to be your wife," said Mrs. Belswin, angrily, "nor will I do so unless you help me now."