“You have a prolific fancy.”

“Oh, of course. It is natural that you, belonging to the blind sex, should look straight at them and see nothing.”

“What was there to see?”

“View one: His melodramatic stare when she gave Forza her hand. I wonder if Tarsis knows anything.”

“Let us revel in a thrill of charity and wonder if there is anything to know.”

“You may. I shall continue to use my eyes and wits.”

“Upon my word, I see nothing sensational in a man looking at his wife.”

“Modest of you, Reni, and considerate. To the pure all things are pure. You were too noble to say it and crush me.”

“I’m afraid I might have done so, only the deuced proverb is always taking another shape in my mind—to the poor all things are forbidden.”

“Is that the reason our Hera forbid you?”