time, I beseech you."

He looked troubled; he fingered the tablecloth before he spoke. I
encouraged him to open me his mind. "Well, Don Francis," said he, most
uncomfortably, "the task you put upon me then was very easy but for the
one little circumstance that Virginia was not there. But this present is
of enormous difficulty."

"Why so, my dear?" I asked him.

"For the one little circumstance that Virginia IS here," said he; and
then, seeing my bewilderment, he added, "You don't know the Tuscans of
her class as well as I do, that's certain. You know them as children, as
warm-hearted, passionate simpletons; but you have yet to learn how
tender they are of their reputation, and how quick to feel a touch. I
have never seen your Virginia, but I'll warrant her as proud as fire. I
believe that she would rather die than occupy that damask-hung bed, even
with your honour for mate. And supposing she consented to that, do you
not guess what would be the first thing she would do? It would be to
scratch the eyes out of that Donna di Camera you have given her. And she
would do that, mind you, in self-defence, for the Donna di Camera (who
is probably a little above her in degree) would certainly do the same
for Virginia."

I own to having been somewhat put about. "My dear Belviso," I said,
"Virginia is liable to impulse, it may be admitted; but she is never
likely to forget what wifely duty involves. I was not a cruel husband to
her, and left her through no fault of my own. I will answer for her that
she will be a good wife."