"Why, your head's burning!" she said; "have you been eating a great deal? What have you eaten? Whatever have you made her eat?" she went on, turning to Arduina. "Oh, yes, I'll have some coffee, though I know very well it won't be good! What wretched cups! They're as small as I am!"
Antonio had hinted to his wife that Marianna was commonly supposed to be the Princess's daughter; and Regina, watching her, thought—
"It's clearly the case of the mountain and the mouse."
Apparently, Marianna read her thought, for she turned her little head with the alertness of a mouse, surprised by some slight sound; then came and sat beside the bride, balancing her cup on the palm of her hand, and saying maliciously—
"That husband of yours is a villain; keep your eye on him if you don't want him in every sort of mischief."
"I think you're the villain this time," said Antonio; "what are you insinuating suspicions into my wife for?"
"Because I pity her."
"And pray why?" asked Regina.
"Why? Just because you're married! Here comes another villain," continued Marianna, pointing to Massimo, who had drawn nearer; "for that matter they're all villains, the men! And the good ones are worse than the bad. The good ones are stupid. I don't care if men are bad, terrible even, so long as they have some genius and will-power."
"If I had at least these attributes—" began Massimo, looking at her with his insolent eyes.