'How is it that now you never speak to me? Are you so angry with me?'
'No one can be angry with so beautiful a woman.'
She flushed, and I felt I had said a stupid thing, for I had made remarks too similar on another occasion. I added, 'But I have been away.'
'I know. Will you not come in?' She pointed to the house from which she had just issued.
'But I shall be disturbing you, for you were going out.'
She smiled as she replied. 'I saw you pass my house a little while ago; I guessed you were going to Matteo d'Orsi, and I waited for you on your return.'
'You are most kind.'
I wondered why she was so anxious to see me. Perhaps she knew of her husband's approaching banishment, and the cause of it.
We went in and sat down.