"Why not?"
"I've got to get up early to-morrow morning, to go to Confession."
"Ah, very well. And you—will you come, Cesare?"
"Yes," he said, hesitating a little.
"Cousin Scibilia is coming too," Anna added.
"Then, if you will permit me, I'll not come till the second act." And he smiled amiably.
"Have you something to do?"
"Yes; but we'll come home together."
Anna turned red and white. There was something half apologetic in her husband's tone, as if he had a guilty conscience in regard to her. But what did that matter? The prospect of coming home together, alone in a closed carriage, delighted her.
She went to dress for the theatre. She put on for the first time a gown of blue brocade, with a long train, bold in colour, but admirably setting off the rich ivory of Anna's complexion. In her black hair she fixed three diamond stars. She wore no bracelets, but round her throat a single string of pearls. When she was dressed, she sent for her husband.