"You went to Terni? Yet you say that you did not believe it, Mabel? How dare you say so? You also believed that I seduced Livia Lante; did you not?"
"I did not believe that; but I saw your cousin Livia four days ago at Velletri. I spoke to her, and she told me everything. You did not seduce her, and you never promised to marry her; she is sure that you do not love her."
"Oh, Mabel, Mabel, what shame for me! You went to seek the proofs of my honesty; what shame for me! You believed me a villain!" Convulsed with grief, he hid his face in his hands.
She arose; took his hands away from his face, and forced him to look at her.
"Dear, dear, don't go on so, I beg of you. I believed nothing, but I wanted to know the truth. As for us in our country, we believe only with our eyes, so I decided to look for the truth."
"I have never lied to you, Mabel," he added, a little more calmly.
"No, never; you are a brave, loyal old boy."
"You continue, then, after your personal inquiry, Mabel, to esteem and love me?"
"I continue to esteem and be fond of you."